Windsor-Essex to receive $7.8M for infrastructure

Some municipalities in Windsor-Essex will be getting funding from Queen's Park to address infrastructure needs.

Premier Doug Ford and Infrastructure Minister Laurie Scott announced Monday that 424 municipalities across the province would receive roughly $200 million through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF). Over $7.8 million of that money will go to Essex County and seven Windsor-Essex communities.

The funding is part of the government's Plan to Build Ontario Together, which Scott said is instrumental in helping communities prioritize their needs and tackle infrastructure issues.

"Our government is investing in community-based infrastructure projects that will build healthier and safer communities," said Scott. "This funding builds on our ongoing commitment to support small, rural and northern municipalities across Ontario."

The ministry said each sum is designed to help each community grow by attracting jobs and development while assisting existing infrastructure in growing.

"Today's announcement provides the predictable and stable infrastructure funding small, rural and northern municipalities have requested," said Scott. "With this OCIF funding, we are working directly with our municipal partners to help them build much-needed community infrastructure."

The breakdown of Windsor-Essex's share is as follows:

• Amherstburg - $1,732,420
• Lakeshore - $1,476,255
• Tecumseh - $1,175,703
• Kingsville - $962,227
• Essex - $890,405
• Essex County - $862,136
• LaSalle - $726,221
• Township of Pelee - $50,000

The OCIF was launched in 2014 by the previous Liberal government. According to the list of OCIF recipients across the province, the amount of grant money has significantly increased since 2017. For instance, Amherstburg's take has more than doubled from over $809,000 in 2017.

Complete information about the OCIF can be found on the province's official website.