Story:
Local governments have just been granted the second installment of the 2011 strategic community investment fund (SCIF), resulting in nearly $1.2 million coming to the Coast.
The money comes from the Ministry of Community Sport and Cultural Devel-opment and includes advance payments of small community and regional district grants and money from the traffic fine revenue sharing program.
The first installment was paid in March of this year, and future installments are planned for June 2012 and June 2013.
"The Strategic Com-munity Investment Fund is all about creating safer, healthier, more livable and resilient communities that allow B.C. families to thrive. It also gives local governments more certainty about their fiscal future," said Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development in a news release.
"For smaller communities in particular, the grant part of the fund often represents a major portion of their operating budget. With this advance funding, they're more equipped to make long-term plans for how to best meet the needs of their residents."
The Town of Gibsons received $381,911, Sun-shine Coast Regional District received $154,264, the Sech-elt Indian Band received $229,199 and the District of Sechelt received $408,495.
Sechelt's total grant is split between two areas, with $316,170 coming from a small community grant and $92,325 coming from traffic fine revenues.
Only municipalities that pay for police enforcement costs directly are eligible for the traffic fine revenue.
Governments on the Coast say the money will be used to top up general reserves, support local government services and help keep taxes down.
Sechelt will spend its traffic fine revenue money to bolster policing programs like the drug enforcement program, pay for more foot and bike patrols, purchase specialized technology equipment for the Sunshine Coast detachment and pay for training. Some funds will also be used to pay for youth workers, to support the restorative justice program and to maintain the skateboard park.
