Houston is to receive nearly $14 million to be spent over the next five years on capital projects, part of a $250 million provincial sum for the region first announced this spring.
The $13,968,501 is the largest amount to be allocated within the smaller communities of the 21 local governments making up the Northwest B.C. Resource Benefits Alliance. It was formed a decade ago to push for a share of provincial tax revenues collected from major resource projects.
The money was announced in this spring's provincial budget and how it was to be divided up was released July 12 in a news conference hosted by provincial cabinet minister Nathan Cullen at the Smithers airport.
Burns Lake is to receive $9,657,270, Smithers is to get $21,901,077 and the Bulkley-Nechako regional district is to get $14,426,166.
"This agreement is proof that our government has listened to people of the northwest and we will address, together, the unique challenges and opportunities faced by people living and working in our communities," said Cullen.
Houston mayor Shane Brienen, who was at the July 12 announcement in Smithers, said that while the council will decide on spending priorities, he's focused on paving.
"We've been falling behind on paving for 20 years. I can see that being tackled right away," he said.
And other projects such as water line replacement are also on the mayor's 'to do' list.
One of the benefits of this money is that it can be used to leverage additional senior government grants, something that will additionally help Houston deal with infrastructure needs.
"That's exactly what my community will be doing and I'm fairly sure and hopeful other communities will be doing the exact same thing with their funds," Brienen said.
He also predicted Houston will spend less money on administering projects because it already has plans at the ready.
"Capacity is always an issue but a lot of the money will be going into existing things where we didn't have money before. So I don't see any issues there," Brienen continued.
The District of Houston was an early on member of the benefits alliance when it was formed in 2014. As mayor, Brienen also served as one of three co-chairs. He stepped down from that role when he became the B.C. United party's candidate for the Nechako Lakes riding in this fall's provincial election.
This money is in addition to the $150 million sent by the province to the region in 2019-2020 also for infrastructure spending.
