South Okanagan communities are welcoming provincial dollars to help support local government operations and safety initiatives.

It was announced that the City of Penticton will receive $236,144 as the second of three payments from the Strategic Community Investment Fund which consists of the Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Program. A total of $201,258 has been allocated to Summerland in small community grant funds and through the Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Program.

"The money provided through the Strategic Community Investment Fund supports infrastructure and services we rely on every day," says Penticton MLA Bill Barisoff. "This support helps our communities with the cost of maintenance, improvements and helps with new initiatives."

It is expected communities will receive a third payment of these funds 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 the total cost of municipal policing.  The Small Community and Regional District Grant allocation is calculated based on population and assessment.

In the Boundary-Similkameen region, more than $1 million was handed over to local governments to support their operations.

“I’m really pleased to see our government active in supporting local initiatives,” says Boundary-Similkameen MLA John Slater. “These funds go directly into our communities and are allocated accordingly to fit each areas needs, improving safety, infrastructure and programs for our residents.”

Recipients of the Strategic Community Investment Funds include $233,882 to the Town of Oliver, $229,106 to the Town of Osoyoos, $164,299 to the Village of Keremeos, $141,123 to the Village of Midway and $230,527 to the City of Grand Forks. The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen received $77,016 from a regional district grant.