Infrastructure projects in Okotoks and Foothills County are receiving provincial dollars – but funding for a waterline is still not on the table.
As part of the Province’s economic recovery strategy, the region is set to receive more than $6.7 million in infrastructure funding projects, which include two new bridges in the County and upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant in Okotoks.
A waterline to the region is still in the planning stages, so it is not part of the current approved funding list.
“It hasn’t been completed so it wasn’t available for a grant at this time,” said Highwood MLA RJ Sigurdson. “I’m hoping as the municipalities move through getting the final approvals and design finished that we can get that brought to the table as well.
“That just means security for growth for the entire Highwood area, and it’s something I’ve been advocating for since Day 1.”
In the meantime, he said investing nearly $5.5 million in the wastewater treatment plant upgrade in Okotoks is an important step, as it will provide process redundancies and room for growth within the Town’s infrastructure.
Foothills County will have two new bridges, one at Three Point Creek south of Highway 549 and another north of Highway 549, east of Millarville, he said.
Between the three projects, more than 100 jobs will be created in the Foothills. It’s a key part of Alberta’s economic recovery, he said.
“There’s not unlimited levers we can pull to reignite our economy and create jobs immediately, but one we can do is investing in infrastructure and water treatment projects,” said Sigurdson. “That’s an instant creation of jobs, and these are projects that invest in the future of Alberta.”
Provincially, he said the aim is to create more than 1,800 jobs by investing in transportation and water infrastructure in the immediate future, with a goal of 50,000 jobs created by year-end.
Part of that goal will be realized by diversifying the economy.
“We’ve expanded the innovation employment grant, targeted the smaller companies and we’re encouraging technology investment in Alberta,” said Sigurdson. “This is going to provide a refundable tax credit to Alberta-based companies that invest in research and development.”
In addition, the Province plans to invest $175 million in capital funds over the next three years to support the technology sector, through the Alberta Enterprise Corporation (AEC).
Though full details haven’t been finalized, the fund will allow tech companies and innovators to tap into grants as they build business, he said.
Funding will go beyond infrastructure as well, to support the more creative side of the economy.
“We have to diversify and recognize that it’s not all just construction and oil and gas by supporting arts and culture,” said Sigurdson. “We will create a cultural event relaunch program to support music and performing arts.”
He said the program should help events and cultural facilities address the physical distancing requirements they will need to have in place as they relaunch.
Overall, he said the Province’s plan should help the local economy by boosting infrastructure and stimulating job creation.
“It’s a little bit of positive news from the government on investment in Alberta,” said Sigurdson. “It’s a substantial amount of money that’s going to create a lot of jobs, and I’m kind of excited about moving forward with some of these projects.”
Krista Conrad, OkotoksToday.ca
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