New funds to boost downtowns

Provincial dollars to go to crosswalks, lighting and other improvements in city and county

New crosswalks, better lighting and upgraded landscaping will result from a provincial funding initiative aimed at sprucing up Ontario’s downtowns.

Peterborough MPP Jeff Leal, also the minister of rural affairs, announced $430,000 in funding for local municipalities Wednesday morning at the County Court House.

With Warden Joe Taylor and other members of county council looking on, Leal said the funds will go to the City of Peterborough and the eight county townships to benefit downtowns in Lakefield, Millbrook, Havelock, Keene and Apsley and others.

Taylor, also the deputy reeve of Otonabee-South Monaghan Township, welcomed the news, saying the county’s downtowns deserve rejuvenation.

“They are the hubs of the townships in which they are located,” he said. “This will maintain vibrancy and a sense of visual appeal.”

His township will receive up to $41,693. The announcement also included funds for AsphodelNorwood (up to $39,524), DouroDummer (up to $41,726), Havelock-Belmont-Methuen (up to $39,881), Selwyn (up to $50,494), Trent Lakes (up to $40,615), Cavan Monaghan (up to $43,522) and North Kawartha (up to $38,143).

Communities can also direct the funding to improve downtown storefronts with new signage or lighting.

The city will receive up to $96,964 in funding.

“It’s going to be key to help us restore our vibrant downtowns,” said city Town Ward Coun. Diane Therrien.

Funding announcements like this one were criticized by Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford, who earlier this week accused the Liberals of using these announcements of new funding as a campaign tool before the writ has dropped for the June 7 provincial election. The party has asked Elections Ontario to investigate.

Leal shook his head at Ford’s remarks after Wednesday’s funding announcement.

“It really tells me that the leader of the opposition lacks the knowledge about small communities in Ontario,” Leal said.

Leal pointed out that his government has introduced spring budgets for the past 14 years, and that includes making funding announcements like this one that benefit Ontario communities, particularly in rural areas. He said the funding will help boost small businesses, and in turn create jobs, attract tourism and encourage commercial growth.

The funding is part of the $26million provincial Main Street Revitalization Initiative, administered by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the related Rural Ontario Municipal Association.

Funding was allocated based on population size, drawn from the 2016 census, with an adjustment for municipalities with fewer than 25,000 residents.