The Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is reporting that their last three provincial grant applications have been denied, but there's a new strategy on the way.
PUC General Manager Darren Galbraith told the commission on Thursday that it's a "glaring issue", adding the first application was filed at the end of 2024.
The PUC commissioners were told hundreds of applications are filed every year province-wide asking for billions of dollars, but there's not enough money to go around.
Chatham-Kent (CK) Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Dave Taylor told the commission that it's disappointing the applications weren't successful, but he's trying to improve their chances of success in the future.
"We need to take a lot of shots on goals and then hopefully we get one through. Staff are working to learn whatever we can to hopefully increase the chances of at least one of our shots getting by the goalie," said Taylor.
Taylor hopes CK will be at the top of the provincial funding list soon now that some of the most needy municipalities have been addressed.
"Some of the other applications that came through, those municipalities were even in a worst position. Their facilities were in worst condition and as a result there was maybe a higher scoring on criticality of replacing that piece of infrastructure," Taylor noted.
Taylor said the municipality is working on a new strategy to put their best foot forward when applying for future provincial grants after a couple of provincial debriefs highlighted some application shortcomings.
"A really odd situation that maintaining our assets in the past puts us in a position where they're not as critical now and then as a result we lose some points [on the grant applications]," he said.
Taylor noted the need to get municipal projects shovel-ready to increase the odds of successful grant applications.
He added unfortunately the municipality is reliant on grants from upper levels of government to get projects done.
Galbraith said the commission will be asked next month to approve hiring some new staff positions to accelerate projects and accomplish municipal goals for lifecycle and growth.
