91原创鈥檚 MLAs announced the City and Township鈥檚 share of the $1 billion Growing Communities Fund, with the two communities getting more than $31 million in total.

The fund was part of the recent B.C. provincial budget.

91原创 Township will receive $24,306,000 and the City will get $7,186,000.

鈥淎s our community continues to rapidly grow, residents of the Township of 91原创 need high quality, accessible infrastructure and services that keeps pace with that growth,鈥� 91原创 East MLA Megan Dykeman said in a statement. 鈥淭his funding will support local governments in making decisions about investments that will best serve local people, especially as communities like 91原创 continue to expand.鈥�

鈥淎s 91原创 grows, we have to make sure our local infrastructure can meet the increased demand,鈥� 91原创 MLA Andrew Mercier said in a statement. 鈥淭his new funding will make sure that the City of 91原创, and municipalities across the province, can keep up with the needs of our communities.鈥�

This is a one-time funding boost that is aimed at local projects, which can include affordable housing, child care facilities, road improvements, or rec centres.

READ ALSO: What you need to know about the B.C. government鈥檚 2023 budget

鈥淭his funding will really help Township of 91原创 residents and taxpayers as we continue putting our new plan in place to invest in new infrastructure and amenities needed due to our growing population - now at about 145,000, while serving our existing, new, and future residents,鈥� said Township Mayor Eric Woodward.

He thanked Premier David Eby for the funding, and said it means the Township can now consider taking on some projects sooner than they would have been able to without it.

Smaller communities get more per person because of the way the funding is being allocated.

Each municipality gets $500,000 to start, with the remainder adjusted based on population size, as well as on population growth between 2016 and 2021, based on BC Stats data.

The method was chosen because it considers the impacts of demands for municipal services on smaller, rural, and also fast growing communities, according to a provincial background document.

All local governments will have to report on what they use the funds for.

The grants are expected to be distributed by the end of March.