The rural municipalities of Emerson-Franklin and Montcalm are getting a slice of provincial funding to help mitigate against natural disasters.

It's part of more than $186,700 being provided to fund twelve municipal projects under the Mitigation and Preparedness Program (MPP) to prepare for future natural disasters across Manitoba, announced Municipal Relations Minister Eileen Clarke.

“Manitoba is taking a new approach to dealing with natural disasters such as floods and fires by encouraging prevention, rather than recovery,” said Clarke. “This provincial support will help municipalities target locally important projects including improving drainage, purchasing new equipment and building up reserve funds for projects that mitigate against natural disasters. This work will build resiliency in their communities and help reduce costs in the long term.”

As a result, $20,632.15 is going to the Rural Municipality of Emerson-Franklin to purchase sewer lift station generators that will provide backup power supply to ensure operations during power outages and other emergencies.

The Rural Municipality of Montcalm will see $10,237.50 for investment in a reserve fund.

When Manitoba establishes a Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) program that is eligible for cost-sharing with Canada under the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements, municipalities can either pay the provincial/municipal DFA deductible, or opt in to the MPP.

Under the MPP, municipalities would receive 100 per cent of eligible DFA costs back from Manitoba, and are required to invest the amount that would have been the deductible into an approved disaster mitigation and preparedness project.

The MPP provides municipalities with the flexibility to use the deductible for a project of its choice that builds local resiliency to natural disasters, including the purchase of equipment, or the use of funds for a capital project. Municipalities also have the option to request placing funds in reserve until they select a project.