New rural funding formula expected: MP
Smaller communities can expect good news in the coming weeks related to infrastructure and heritage funding, Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Kim Rudd said as she delivered her annual greetings to Peterborough County councillors Wednesday.
A formal announcement expected soon will outline funding formula plans in which small communities pay seven per cent, while the federal government picks up 60 per cent and the province the balance of the tab, she revealed.
“That is a huge change and I think a game changer for small communities,” Rudd said, adding that further information is embargoed. “But you will be happy.”
Asphodel-Norwood and Otonabee-South Monaghan townships, both in her riding, each have several applications in, she noted.
Rudd said the $185-billion Infrastructure Canada – Small Communities Fund has nearly been entirely rolled out. It has been delayed, in part, because agreements must be in place with every province and territory, she said.
During a question and answer period, Coun. Scott McFadden asked Rudd when funding decisions on fibre optic projects can be expected, noting that companies such as Nexicom are delaying projects until they find out if there is federal support.
Rudd promised to investigate the matter and relay an answer through Warden Joe Taylor.
Coun. J. Murray Jones also asked Rudd for the federal government’s continued support of the Eastern Ontario Regional Network’s efforts to boost cell phone coverage, noting that there are even parts of the county still without service.
New leader delivers delegation
Gail Moorehouse – who recently had the word “interim” removed from her title as executive director of Community Futures Peterborough – addressed county councillors about the community impact of the non-for-profit.
She spoke about how Community Futures is “all about” job creation, business growth and expansion and has delivered more than $28 million in loans to more than 800 local businesses since its creation in 1985.
Moorehouse provided statistics, including how it approved about $1.5 million in loans to 32 clients from April 2017 to March 2018 and has a portfolio of 110 to 115 clients representing about $6.5 million.
The Eastern Ontario Development Program, which it delivers, approved 28 applications representing about $450,000, she said.
The program for established businesses is asked for $1.8 to $2.2 million annually.
Community Futures also provided business counselling to 235 people and created or maintained 211 jobs in the past year, Moorehouse said.
The organization takes great pride in that it facilitated customized entrepreneurial training at Fleming College for displaced General Electric employees, she said. “In the end, what we really want is to grow a community that is sustainable.”
County speaking out on watershed requirements
County councillors want to ensure Queen’s Park is aware of its concern that proposed provincial watershed planning requirements are redundant.
County councillors approved sending a staff report containing those sentiments, as well as a request for a meeting to air the views, to the officials with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change andthe county’s MPPs Jeff Leal and Laurie Scott.
“Let’s get ugly about it and get right in their face,” Jones said, speaking out against sending out another memo that will only sit on a desk and suggesting getting Leal and Scott together to make them understand the position, and make it heard in the legislature.
Coun. Mary Smith said she was confident the view would be heard, because the province stated it is seeking input on the topic.
Coun. Scott McFadden disagreed, pointing out how recently released agricultural mapping designated inaccessible parts of the Cavan swamp as farmland, despite the vast amount of input the township provided.