The Town of Saugeen Shores has entered into a "Infrastructure and Community Readiness Assessment Agreement" deal with Bruce Power worth $2 million.
A statement from the town shared the news of the four-year deal on Tuesday. Through the agreement, Saugeen Shores will receive $2 million in funding to "enable municipal strategic planning and readiness assessment in preparation for the impacts of the Bruce C project," according to the released statement from the town.
This funding will help Saugeen Shores "assess the long-term impacts and once-in-a-generation opportunities this large-scale infrastructure project presents," the statement added.
Money will be used toward "comprehensive community readiness planning" with a focus on housing, transportation, water and wastewater systems, land development, labour force, and social infrastructure.
The Town of Saugeen Shores also plans to have further discussions with Bruce Power regarding a Community Benefit Agreement.
"This agreement represents an important milestone for the Town of Saugeen Shores. The funding will enable us to undertake the comprehensive planning and assessment work necessary to make informed, evidence-based decisions on behalf of our community," said Mayor Luke Charbonneau. "We are committed to ensuring that Saugeen Shores is well-positioned to address the demands and opportunities that a project of this significance presents."
"The Bruce C Project represents a significant opportunity for the Clean Energy Frontier region. In order to maximize these major benefits, it is essential that local communities have the capacity to advance community and infrastructure readiness assessments," noted Eric Chassard, President and CEO of Bruce Power. "We know that supportive infrastructure is more than roads and warehouses, it includes housing, workforce services, community planning, and healthy communities with the local capacity to make informed and timely decisions. This agreement ensures that the Town of Saugeen Shores has the tools and resources needed to prepare in a thoughtful and responsible way."
