News Release

HILLSBOROUGH (GNB) – A $1.6 million lift station upgrade was announced today in Hillsborough under the Small Communities Fund.

“This upgrade will improve the reliability and performance of the community’s wastewater collection system,” said Memramcook-Tantramar MLA Bernard LeBlanc. “The provincial government is working in partnership on this infrastructure project to create jobs and provide additional capacity for future growth in the village.”

LeBlanc attended the announcement for Environment and Local Government Minister Brian Kenny.

“The federal government understands that by building stronger communities and modernizing and developing our infrastructure, we are creating jobs and opportunities and building a better Canada for future generations,” said Rob Moore, minister of state for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. “The Small Communities Fund of the New Building Canada Fund supports economic growth from coast to coast to coast while ensuring that Canadian communities remain among the best in the world to live.”

Moore spoke on behalf of Infrastructure, Communities, and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Denis Lebel.

The project involves upgrading the Village of Hillsborough’s three lift stations to current standards by installing new pumping equipment and wet wells and making improvements to buildings, electrical and mechanical systems.

“This is an exciting day for our community,” said Patrick Armstrong, mayor of Hillsborough. “We are making significant investments together with our government partners to ensure our lift stations meet current standards and continue to serve our community’s needs.”

Under the Small Communities Fund, the provincial government is partnering with the federal government to jointly invest a total of about $79 million in infrastructure over the next 10 years. Each project also receives matched funding from the community for a total investment of more than $118 million.

A total of 38 projects in New Brunswick communities will receive funding for strategic infrastructure projects that contribute to both a cleaner environment and economic growth. This is the first round of investments under the fund.

The Small Communities Fund was announced last year as part of the federal government’s 10-year infrastructure plan for communities with a population of less than 100,000. The fund was created under the New Building Canada Plan 2014-2024.

Eligible categories include highways and major roads, public transit, disaster mitigation, connectivity and broadband, innovation, wastewater, green energy, drinking water, solid waste management, brownfield redevelopment, local and regional airports, short-line rail, short-sea shipping and northern infrastructure.