Hardisty, AB - Leon Benoit MP for Vegreville–Wainwright, Doug Griffiths MLA for Battle River–Wainwright, and Anita Miller, Mayor of Hardisty, today celebrated the groundbreaking of new water and wastewater infrastructure development in the Town of Hardisty, which is one of many projects in the region helping to create jobs and boost the local economy.

Service development for the 43rd Avenue Industrial/Commercial Subdivision within the Town of Hardisty will provided serviced lots to attract new business development to the community. 

“This project is one which will benefit the people of the Hardisty. It is money well spent which will help position this community and Canada to better strengthen our economy after this recession is over,” said Leon Benoit, MP for Vegreville-Wainwright. “As well, of course, it is money well spent because the cost of this project is considerably less than it would have been one year ago. These are bargain prices.”

“These projects are all critical infrastructure projects for these communities and I, and the members of our constituency, truly appreciate the investment the federal government is adding to the province's investment to ensure these projects are completed,” said Doug Griffiths.

Mayor Miller from the Town of Hardisty stated “we were pleased to be chosen for this stimulus funding.  We are installing water & sewer in our Industrial Subdivision.  The project has been underway since April 12, 2010 and completion date is scheduled to be June 30, 2010.  The project costs will be considerably less than what we had originally estimated in 2009 due to current economic conditions.  Once the infrastructure is installed we hope to see some development in that location, which will assist in Hardisty’s long term sustainability.”

The Governments of Canada and the Province of Alberta have each announced up to $765,181 toward this project.  The Town of Hardisty will contribute the balance of the total estimated eligible costs of up to $2,295,544.

The project is part of the Government of Canada’s two-year Economic Action Plan which includes measures to create and maintain jobs, and ensure Canada’s economy emerges strong from the global economic recession.  By working with other levels of government, the Government of Canada has committed stimulus funding to nearly 7,000 infrastructure projects across Canada during the 2009 and 2010 construction seasons.