EDMONTON – The Government of Alberta is making $19 million available through the Drought and Flood Protection Program for communities to build needed infrastructure.
The funds are part of the five-year, $125 million program to help “municipalities and First Nations protect critical infrastructure from flooding and drought and improve public safety,” a provincial government release said.
“We know that drought and floods can devastate public infrastructure and private property, damage the environment, disrupt our economy and put lives at risk. We’ve already funded 18 projects through the Drought and Flood Protection Program this year, but there is more work to do. That’s why we’re fast-tracking the next round of applications to protect communities across the province,” said Alberta Minister of Environment and Protected Areas Rebecca Schulz in a statement.
The program assists communities with design and construction of projects to protect critical drought and flooding infrastructure, the release said, including expansion of water storage or the retrofitting or relocation of water intakes to help ensure access to water during periods of drought.
Flood mitigation projects, such as berms, flood walls or riverbank stabilization work, are also eligible under the program, the release added.
Applications for shovel-ready projects are “strongly encouraged,” but all projects that meet eligibility funding will be considered.
All municipalities, improvement districts, special areas, Metis Settlements and First Nations are eligible and encouraged to apply.
The application deadline for Round 2 of funding is Nov. 29. Round 2 applications will be reviewed over the winter and decisions announced in the spring, allowing projects that are shovel-ready to begin work during the 2025 construction season, the release said.
There is no minimum funding requirement for applications, but a funding cap of $10 million per project is in place to ensure the program is able to support multiple projects each year.
All approved projects will be cost-shared, with the Government of Alberta covering up to 70 per cent of total eligible costs and the grant recipient(s) covering the remaining 30 per cent.
More information on the program is available here.
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