The provincial government has announced funding for Estevan and other communities affected by the transition away from coal-fired power.
In the speech from the throne released on Wednesday, the government said it would create a fund worth up to $10 million to assist Estevan, Coronach and areas surrounding those two communities, both of which are home to coal mines and coal-fired plants.
The money will be used to transition to new economic development opportunities for workers affected by the phase out of conventional coal-fired electricity in 2030.
The speech noted this phase-out will negatively affect over 1,300 workers in Saskatchewan coal-producing communities.
"I am really happy to say that after working closely with Premier Moe, Minister (Dustin) Duncan and Minister (Jeremy) Harrison the decision was made to set up this support for our communities," said Estevan MLA Lori Carr. "I would like to thank Mayor (Roy) Ludwig and his team for their positive and constructive advocacy for this type of a fund. These are the kinds of results that can come from working together on a common goal."
As this is just in it’s infancy all of the details have not been worked out, Carr said. A committee will be struck of members from the communities of Estevan, Coronach and the ministry. This committee will be setting the parameters and guiding the path forward.
"And I want to be clear that this will be something that will be what is in the best interest of all of these communities and ideas put forward by them."
The types of things people can expect to be funded by this fund are economic development initiatives to improve the local business environment, municipal investment attraction initiatives, hosting investment delegations, outgoing investment attraction missions, community development planning and strategy formulation, just to name a few.
Next week’s edition of the Mercury will have more on this story.
