Media Release

Study Confirms Niagara Municipalities are Commited to Increasing Investment in Infrastructure.

April 6, 2004

The Heavy Construction Association of Regional Niagara (HCARN) recently conducted a municipal accountability study to gauge the level of commitment municipalities are giving to infrastructure issues.  A scorecard was developed and each municipality within the Region of Niagara was invited to participate.  The following participants were measured against a set of pre-determined criteria, and provided with a score out of 100:  Port Colborne, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Regional Municipality of Niagara, St. Catharines, Thorold, Niagara Falls, Fort Erie and Welland.

The study confirmed that the municipalities participating are following through with their commitment to increase investment in infrastructure.  In fact, budgeted expenditures for these municipalities in 2003 were planned to reach $133 million, versus $64 million in 1998.  Over the past 5 years, approximately $382 million has been spent on infrastructure between these 8 municipalities.

HCARN includes 41 Niagara based heavy construction firms that provide road construction, reconstruction and sewer/water main construction services.  In 1999, the Association commissioned a report entitled “The Case for Increased Infrastructure Investment in the Region of Niagara”.  This report highlighted the immediate need for investment in road infrastructure and in sewer and water main construction, and was presented to The Regional Public Works Committee and various Municipal Councils.  The study has served as the catalyst for many further investigations and public awareness campaigns regarding infrastructure issues.

HCARN is taking the initiative to keep people informed of what’s happening in Niagara regarding the state of infrastructure.

If you would like further information about HCARN and its initiatives, please contact John Blake, President of HCARN at (905) 835-8413 or visit our website at http://www.hcarn.com