MILLET, ALBERTA -- (Marketwire) -- 11/16/12 -- Today, Blaine Calkins, Member of Parliament for Wetaskiwin, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced federal funding for repairs to the Millet Agriplex Arena under the Harper Government's Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF).

"Our Government is committed to creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity in our communities," said MP Calkins. "By improving facilities such as the Millet Agriplex, we are helping to boost economic activity and maintain a high quality of life for Canadians."

Federal funding of $44,000 will help repair the ice refrigeration system at the Agriplex, ensuring it can continue to be used for hockey games, public skating, and other recreational ice sports. This improvement will raise membership participation and increase the long term sustainability of the Millet Agriplex.

"The Town of Millet would like to thank Western Economic Diversification Canada and MP Blaine Calkins for recognizing the need to invest in our community through the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund," said Teri Pelletier, CAO for the Town of Millet.

"The Millet and District Recreational and Agricultural Society would like to thank Western Economic Diversification Canada for their support," said Tracy Bredlow, President of the Millet and District Recreational and Agricultural Society.

CIIF supports, on a cost-shared basis, repairs and improvements to existing community infrastructure accessible to the public. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is delivering the Fund in Western Canada with an allocation of $46.2 million over two years.

Since 2006, the Harper Government, through WD, has invested in job-creating small and medium-sized businesses, aerospace, marine and defence industries, and supported innovative entrepreneurs in pursuing emerging markets. By continuing to promote new economic opportunities, WD is helping to create jobs, economic growth, and long-term prosperity.

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A stronger West. A stronger Canada.

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Backgrounder

Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund

Through the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF), the Harper Government has committed to supporting communities and creating jobs through repairs and improvements to existing community facilities over the next two years. The Fund is being delivered by the regional development agencies across Canada. In Western Canada, Western Economic Diversification is delivering over $46 million towards eligible projects.

The construction of new infrastructure and repairs to facilities that are primarily for commercial or for-profit activities are ineligible. Facilities must be accessible for use by the public and not limited to a private membership. All projects are required to be completed by March 31, 2014.

Organizations eligible to apply for funding under CIIF include:

--  local or regional governments or related agencies; 
    
--  provincial entities that provide municipal-type services to communities;
    
--  non-profit organizations; and 
    
--  First Nation governments, including Band or Tribal Councils or their
    legally-designated representatives. 
    

Examples of the type of community infrastructure that can be supported under CIIF include:

--  community centres; 
    
--  cultural centres; 
    
--  parks; 
    
--  libraries; 
    
--  recreational facilities (e.g. local arenas, swimming pools, sports
    fields, and other types of recreational facilities); 
    
--  tourism facilities having a local impact; and 
    
--  other existing community infrastructure assets which have a local
    community impact such as connectivity and broadband and local airports. 
    

Please refer to the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund website for more information.