The provincial government is providing $1,100,157 to East Kootenay communities to further public safety initiatives and support local government operations.

"Through this advanced payment we are providing local governments with more funding sooner, so they can invest in their priority projects," said Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett, who also serves as Minister of Community and Rural Development. "Acceleration of these funds provides greater certainty for smaller rural communities especially during these challenging economic times."

"Cranbrook and the Elk Valley are committed to preserving the safe, community-focused lifestyle that attracts so many people to visit and settle in the East Kootenays," added Bennett. "These grants help to preserve that quality of life that we expect from our local municipalities."

As part of the Strategic Community Investment Fund, the City of Cranbrook will receive $144,232 for its portion of traffic fine revenue sharing plus an $82,606 small community grant. For Elk Valley small community grants, Fernie gets $226,659 while Sparwood is receiving $210,163 and Elkford will get $187,167. In addition, the Regional District of East Kootenay will receive $79,300 in its latest installment of provincial funding.

The Strategic Community Investment Fund is a two-year, $232-million initiative consisting of the Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Program and Small Community and Regional District Grants. Communities received a first payment in Spring 2009 and will receive a third payment in early 2010.

Through the Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Program, the province has provided 100 per cent of net traffic fine revenues to local government since 2004.  Traffic fine revenue comes from fines on violation tickets, with a municipality receiving an amount based on its contribution to total municipal policing costs.  The Small Community and Regional District Grant allocation is calculated based on population and assessment.