Media Release

STUDY REPORTS ON NIAGARA MUNICIPALITIES LEVEL OF COMMITMENT TO INCREASING INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE.

March 10, 2006
The Heavy Construction Association of Regional Niagara (HCARN) recently concluded the 2nd municipal accountability study covering actual capital expenditures for 2003 in order to gauge the ongoing level of commitment municipalities are giving to infrastructure issues.  The initial study covering the 2002 year included the development of a scorecard wherein points were awarded based on various criteria, each municipality within the Region of Niagara was invited to participate.  The following participants were again 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, Grimsby and Welland. The resultant score reflects the municipality’s current infrastructure investment position in relation to their own circumstances, a score approaching 100 would indicate an increasing investment in the municipal infrastructure while a score reducing to 0 would indicate a lessening of investment in municipal infrastructure.

The 2003 study has again confirmed that the municipalities participating are following through with their commitment to increase investment in infrastructure.  In fact, actual expenditures for these municipalities in 2003 reached $107 million, versus $86 million spent in 2002.  Over the past 5 years, approximately $426 million has been spent on infrastructure between these 9 municipalities, for an annual average of $85.2 million. Budgeted infrastructure expenditures for 2004 were set at an all time high of $154 million.

St. Catharines with a score of 92 (2002 – 65) and the Regional Municipality of Niagara with a score of 74 (2002 – 66) are leading in the measured level of commitment to infrastructure investment for the years studied.
 
HCARN includes 53 Niagara based heavy construction firms that provide road construction, reconstruction and sewer/water main construction and associated services.  In 2000, 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 Passero Jr., President of HCARN at (905) 680-6002 or visit our website at http://www.hcarn.com