The Peace River region is receiving $32.2 million, the latest instalment of the FairShare program, meant to address infrastructure priorities in the area, the province announced Thursday.
"This funding is critical to the well-being of one of B.C.'s most isolated, sparsely populated regions -- a region that is also rich in oil and gas resources that benefit the entire province," said Peace River South Liberal MLA Blair Lekstrom.
"The annual FairShare grants-in-lieu allow Peace communities to provide essential services to residents both in and outside of municipal boundaries," explained Lekstrom. "The payments also help these communities become more economically-resilient and family- friendly."
The program was started in 2005, and provides at least $20 million annually to the Peace River Regional District. Increases are a result of indexes in changes in the rural industrial assessment base.
The Peace River region is an area where the natural gas sector, in particular, has been expanding rapidly.
The money is a grant because Peace River communities cannot access industrial property taxes as the industrial base is located outside their community boundaries.
The funds are divided among local governments with the regional district.
The program has delivered $184.2 million in the past six years.
