Saskatchewan is growing, and growth without a plan can only lead to disaster.
As a result, the Planning for Growth initiative has been launched, a partnership between the Government of Canada and Enterprise Saskatchewan. The first nine projects under the program have been announced, including one in Yorkton.
The program is a partnership between all three levels of government.
The Government of Canada is contributing $600,000 through the Gas Tax Fund, and the Government of Saskatchewan is investing an additional $500,000 through Enterprise Saskatchewan.
This pays for half of the projects, with the other half being paid for through the municipal governments. Approximately half of this contribution has been allocated to the first nine projects, or $565,000.
The local partnership is one between Yorkton, the RM of Wallace and the RM of Orkney. It involves reviving a District Planning Commission and hiring a consultant to complete a District Official Community Plan and corresponding Zoning Bylaws.
The overall cost of the plan will be $62,500, with $31,250 being provided through Planning for Growth.
"This is a great response by municipalities," says Municipal Affairs Minister Darryl Hickie. "The quality of the applications was very high, with groups of rural and urban municipalities showing tremendous innovation. The program helps everyone involved work together and move forward with support for planning that leads to regional growth and development."
