The province of Ontario is reviewing a funding program that supports rural communities.
CAO Jim Pine told a virtual meeting of Hastings County Council on Thursday that the county has a particular interest in this review.
It is a $200 million a year fund that’s available to rural communities or communities with a population under 100,000.
It’s shared among municipalities that qualify.
Pine tells Quinte News the funding is aimed at infrastructure.
“It’s designed to support investments in infrastructure, primarily you know water, sewer, roads, wastewater. Those kinds of infrastructure programs.”
Pine says, “But from the county’s point of view it would like to see another area added.”
“From a county point of view, trail infrastructure is a really important piece of economic development. You know, the riders on trails contribute to the economy of our local municipalities in a substantial way.”
Pine added there’s a formula for figuring out the municipality’s eligibilty.
The province is looking at that part of the formula as well.
