Municipal Stimulus Program may be combined with previously submitted 2020 projects

Municipalities are reminded that the deadline to apply for the new Municipal Stimulus Program (MSP) is October 1, 2020. MSP represents a $500 million investment by the Government of Alberta to help stimulate the economy by funding municipal infrastructure projects across Alberta.

The program guidelines state that MSP is not eligible for projects that were previously submitted under the Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) or Gas Tax Fund (GTF). However, last week, Alberta Municipal Affairs clarified that MSP funding can be combined with projects that have been submitted or approved under 2020 MSI and GTF as long as the municipality can attest that the projects would not have proceeded in the 2020 or 2021 construction season without the MSP funding. This helps to address situations where a 2020 project is at risk of being cancelled or delayed due to the municipality’s financial challenges associated with COVID-19. Projects submitted prior to 2020 are not eligible for MSP.

AUMA continues to work with Municipal Affairs to seek additional guidance on the MSP requirements for red tape reduction and will share that information when available. Details on how to apply can be found on the Government of Alberta’s website.