The Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, on behalf of the province of British Columbia, recently announced that local governments throughout the province are sharing almost $108 million in provincial funding to support policing and safety measures, as well as community service projects.

Provided from the Small Community Grant, Regional District Grant and Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Grant programs, the funding allows local governments across B.C. to meet local needs in various ways, including more policing, restorative justice, increased community safety initiatives, infrastructure, administrative support and service delivery priorities. These Small Community Grants aid communities with populations of less than approximately 20,000 people.

Locally, Radium Hot Springs, Invermere and Canal Flats all received funds as part of the Small Community Grant program. Radium Hot Springs was allotted $261, 466 while the District of Invermere received $388,212 and Canal Flats $309,119.

None of the three local communities received funding from the Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Grants as their population of less than 5,000 people disqualifies them from entry into the program.

“Local governments can direct the funding from the Small Community and Regional Districts Grants according to their community needs and priorities,” Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Peter Fassbender said in a press release. “These grants help provide local services, programs and infrastructure in smaller and rural communities in every region of British Columbia.”

Since 2009, funding from these grant programs has provided over $922 million to help support services that benefit B.C. residents, businesses and communities. In terms of the breakdowns from this year’s grants, communities will receive almost $53 million in Small Community Grant and Regional District funding with another $55 million in Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Grant funding being spread out across the country.