City getting $400K for infrastructure projects

Northern municipalities are receiving provincial cash over the next handful of years. 

Sault Ste. Marie's share of the new Northern Ontario Resource Development Support (NORDS) fund for 2021-22 is $400,000.

The infrastructure project funding stream shares the benefits of mining and forestry with municipalities and complements other funding, according to the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry announcement. Over the next five years, $15 million will be distributed annually.

"Northern communities face unique realities, as do the industries and sectors that drive our northern economy. Programs such as NORDS are central to our vision for building strong northern communities, supporting economic development, and creating optimum conditions for businesses to thrive, grow, and create good jobs," said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry, in the news release.

Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities president Danny Whalen said they're thankful the government is providing the much-needed financial assistance.

"The NORDS funding is very welcome. It will help communities address their impacted road networks. We were pleased to work with ministry staff and provide input in the development of this new funding stream," he said.

All 144 Northern Ontario municipalities are eligible for the funding and the allocations are determined using household counts in each municipality. 

The large Northern Ontario municipalities — Timmins, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie and North Bay — are receiving the same amount of cash. 

Other funding in the area includes:

• Elliot Lake - $279,982
• Blind River - $136,388
• Wawa - $108,866
• Huron Shores - $99,524
• St. Joseph - $85,024
• Thessalon - $72,580
• Laird - $70,885
• Plummer Additional - $69,442
• Johnson - $69,045
• Tarbutt - $64,644
• Bruce Mines - $61,073
• Hilton Beach - $55,510

The full breakdown of funding by the municipality is available here.

Funding for the first year will be distributed to municipalities by March 31, 2022. The government encourages municipalities to submit projects for funding on Dec. 7, 2021, when the program opens.