Most people have already forgotten the minister of agriculture’s announcement of more money for the federal government’s infrastructure program.
This is phase three of the job creation program and Lyle Vanclief’s announcement seems like old news.
For the people of Vilna, Alta. it’s a very big deal.
“This kind of thing really helps out,” said Debbie Bobocel, village administrator.
The village in northeastern Alberta is one of more than 50 towns, villages or counties that will be able to do much-needed repairs to their roads, water or sewer with the money recently announced.
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The federal government is kicking in $93,528 of the $104,292 project to rebuild one of the main service roads on the edge of Vilna as part of the infrastructure program.
Phase three of the Canada-Agri-Infrastructure Program commits up to $17.5 million for roads or even helping to commercialize new technology in the province.
The money comes from a special fund set up when the Crow freight rate on grain was abolished.
The federal government will be working with the rural and urban municipalities on the project.
Wherever the money comes from, without it the village of Vilna, pop. 274, would never have been able to build almost one kilometre of road.
“Never in a million years. In a village like Vilna we don’t have an industrial base. Without an industrial base it’s difficult for small communities to keep viable. This kind of thing really helps out,” Bobocel said.
The money will be used to improve drainage, rebuild ditches and improve the road.
