Southern Bruce Natural Gas project awarded $27.73-million provincial grant

The Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure has announced that the Southern Bruce Natural Gas project, created under the leadership of the Municipality of Kincardine, the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie and the Township of Huron-Kinloss, will receive provincial grant funding of up to $27.73-million. 

“We are thrilled by this announcement,” said Kincardine mayor Anne Eadie.  “In awarding such a significant grant toward the construction of the gas facilities for our three municipalities, the province has recognized and embraced the vision shown by our municipal councils over the past six years to realize the goal of bringing natural gas to our communities.”

“This has been a long, hard road to get to this point, and credit must be given to all our councils who have worked co-operatively together to advance and realize upon this critical initiative,” said Arran-Elderslie mayor Paul Eagleson, warden of Bruce County. “We are bringing much-needed relief to our home owners, businesses and farms by finally obtaining access to natural gas.”

“The only final decision we are waiting for now is for the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) to decide who wins the gas franchise for our area: EPCOR or Union Gas,” said Huron-Kinloss mayor Mitch Twolan. “We hope the OEB decision will be announced as soon as possible, given this wonderful news from the province about our sizable grant.

“This provincial funding decision is a significant victory for our area which will drive greater economic activity and benefit every citizen with more affordable energy choices.”

The project, estimated to cost $100-million, would provide natural gas to Kincardine, Tiverton, the Bruce Energy Centre, Ripley, Lucknow, Point Clark, Chesley and Paisley, and the surrounding areas.