Shot of the construction zone as downtown rehabilitation work continues at the top of the town hill on Picton’s Main Street. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
Correction: This story has been updated to reflect the total value The County of Prince Edward received from the Rural Economic Development Program for the revitalization of five commercial areas. It was $102,000 not $2 million as previously reported. Our sincerest apologizes for any confusion this may have caused.
The mayor of Prince Edward County is concerned the cancellation of a government rural funding program could have major implications on future revitalization projects.
In its first ever live streamed council meeting on Tuesday, the County voted to support Huron County in its request to have the province reconsider the suspension of the Rural Economic Development Program.
The County recently received $102,000 came from the RED program for the revitalization of five County downtown areas (Picton, Bloomfield, Wellington, Rossmore and Consecon.
Mayor Robert Quaiff says unless the program is replaced it could mean they have to stop the projects or the municipality will have to fund them.
In the 2016 budget, the province suspended RED program applications with plans to integrate the program into the Jobs and Prosperity Fund – which prevents access to municipalities who formally benefited from the RED program.
The emphasis is on large projects that meet either a minimum of $5 million or $10 million, which will significantly restrict benefits from the Jobs fund.
The Huron County resolution is being circulated to all municipal and regional councils across the province requesting they support it and then communicate their support to the Premier and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Benson Park on King Street in Picton. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
Meanwhile, the County is taking another run at applying for the Canada 150 grant for the Benson Park Rehabilitation Project.
Tuesday, CAO James Hepburn told council that the $400,000 project didn’t meet the requirements for round one of the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program but they have until June 24 to apply again.
During the first round FedDev received more than 1,100 applications requesting more than $260 million in funding. 380 were approved for a value of $44.4 million.
Quaiff says he thinks the municipality has a stronger application this time.
The project recommends: new parking on King Street through the revitalized park; new public washrooms and an accessible rehabilitated pathway to Main Street within close proximity to the Sir John A. MacDonald sculpture.
There will be a requirement to fund 66.6% of the project municipally in order to ensure that the project meets the priority threshold for funding.
The County’s share is an anticipated $186,400.
In other business, the County has given the green light on phase one on the draft approved plans to build a subdivision in Macaulay Village in Picton.
Tuesday, council gave the go ahead to Nery & Inkerman Village Circle Inc. on plans for 22 single detached units along with water and sewer capacity.
Mayor Robert Quaiff.
There was some concern raised by councillor Lenny Epstein about increasing commercial access in the village as more residential units are built, something CAO James Hepburn says he will bring to the Planning Department’s attention.
Lastly, the County has taken another step forward in the reconstruction of County Road 3.
Tuesday night council approved the purchase of an easement from the owners at 221 Ridley Street to construct drainage improvements at a cost of $15,000.
The total cost of the County Road 3 reconstruction is $7 million.
Council meets again on June 28 at 7 p.m.
