Alma, Quebec, April 21, 2008 – Nathalie Normandeau, Deputy Premier of Quebec, and Ministre des Affaires municipales et des Régions, today joined the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour, Minister of Canada Economic Development and Member of Parliament for Jonquière–Alma, in announcing that the City of Alma will receive $4,297,166 in combined government funding under the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) for major infrastructure work aimed at revitalizing part of the downtown core of Alma.
More specifically, this project involves creating new sociocultural animation areas, developing new public sites along the Petite-Décharge river and certain arteries, extending the bikeway to the downtown area and creating pedestrian traffic and show areas.
This major project will consist of several components, including construction of the le Beffroi Building which will provide an interior square grouping shops specialized in home-grown products, offices for La Boîte à bleuets-an organization responsible for downtown animation activities-as well as an outdoor square to accommodate a public market and a cyclist rest area. Additional work is also planned, including upgrading the car park and reconfiguring its parking spaces under the le Beffroi Building. The project will also involve building an outdoor stage on Collard Street, providing office space in the Place du Palais, and repairing des Cascades Boulevard and Sacré-Cœur Street, between Saint-Joseph and Labrecque Streets.
All this work will have a positive impact on revitalizing and consolidating Alma's downtown activity and increase tourist and trade traffic as a result of commercial, cultural, community and diverse animation activities. More than 30,500 people will benefit from these improvements.
Completion of this major project will necessitate a total eligible investment of $6,445,749 under component 3 of the MRIF. As such, the Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada will each contribute $2,148,583 toward these upgrades, for a combined total of $4,297,166 in government assistance, while the City of Alma will assume $2,148,583 of the project's costs.
"This downtown Alma revitalization project is a good example of joint action by municipal authorities, the Société de développement commercial d'Alma and downtown landowners as a whole. I hope that the consolidation of our built heritage combined with the diversity of accommodations and activities it will host will help make the downtown area a meeting point for local and regional residents and tourists. This project is consistent with Quebec's extensive infrastructure modernization plan, in which our government will be investing close to $30 billion over the next five years, $3.15 billion of it to maintain and bring Quebec municipal infrastructure up to standard," stated Minister Normandeau.
"Today's announcement will certainly boost the pride of Alma residents, who are already well-known for their hospitality. This work will make the city more attractive. Infrastructure projects like Alma's downtown renewal contribute to the growth and sustainable development of communities," said Minister Blackburn. "The Government of Canada is working hard to concretely improve the quality of life of Canadians and to ensure the future of communities. Indeed, under the new Building Canada plan, $33 billion will be invested in infrastructure, the highest amount ever. Such an investment can only strengthen our economy, improve our environment and secure our prosperity," the Minister concluded.
Alma Mayor Gérald Scullion said he was pleased to see this project proceed, as it is considered a key priority for the development of the city, well-being of local residents and improvement of community infrastructure.
The Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund is a cost-sharing initiative of the Government of Quebec and Government of Canada that makes $470 million in funding available to Quebec municipalities and non-government organizations. With the financial participation of these municipalities and organizations, this initiative could result in the execution of more than $700 million in infrastructure work. The objectives of the MRIF are to improve community infrastructure, the quality of the environment and citizens' quality of life, and to promote long-term economic growth.
This program, which will be in force until March 31, 2010, is administered by Quebec's Ministère des Affaires municipales et des Régions. Canada Economic Development is responsible for delivering the federal portion of the MRIF on behalf of the Government of Canada.
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Source:
Johanne Levesque
Communications Advisor
Communications Branch
Ministère des Affaires municipales et des Régions
514-873-6910
Information:
Jonathan Trudeau
Press Secretary
Office of the Deputy Premier and Ministre des Affaires municipales et des Régions
418-691-2050
514-873-2622
Sylvain Frenette
Office of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
Canada Economic Development
514-496-1282
Nadia Marceau
Communications Advisor
Canada Economic Development
418-668-4602
