The Town of Sexsmith announced on Monday (Sept. 14) that they’ll be receiving a federal grant to help with their flood mitigation project.

The Town will receive $1,357,624 from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Fund. This supplements what they’ve received from the province and the County of Grande Prairie. Alberta gave them $1,131,240 from the Alberta Community Resilience Program and the County gave them $120,000.  

Over $800,000 remaining needed will be paid for by the Town. Town Council is looking at a debenture bylaw to pay it over long term, spreading out the impact on taxpayers. 

Town of Sexsmith CAO explains “This funding will put the Stormwater Master Plan for the community into action. This plan was completed in August of 2018. Although funding for flood mitigation work was sought previous to this the engineered plan was what was needed to help secure the funding from both the Federal and Provincial Governments and to substantiate the need for the work.  

"The Town has pursued funding for this project for several years and is looking forward to having the finances to allow for this much needed work. This project will help protect residents and businesses from reoccurring flooding in the community.”  

According to a release from Sexsmith, the Town is susceptible to collecting water from outlying areas due to its low elevation. The plan will help redirect water and minimize the impact of spring snow melt and heavy rainfall events on the community.  

Mayor Kate Potter says, "As a smaller community, undertaking a plan of this magnitude is extremely difficult on our own. We are very pleased to have significant Provincial and Federal support to see this project move ahead and are thankful for partnerships that help our community become more resilient and sustainable."  

The engineering work on the project should begin this fall, construction start in 2021 with a 2022 completion date.