Hardeman announces $250,000 in funding for uptown Leamington improvements

LEAMINGTON — Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ernie Hardeman, visited Leamington on Friday, September 18 to announce funding for the municipality through the Rural Economic Development program (RED).

Hardeman met with Leamington CAO Peter Neufeld and Mayor Hilda MacDonald as well as Chatham-Kent-Leamington MPP Rick Nicholls to make the announcement at Shotton Parkette in uptown Leamington.

As part of the $1 million RED program, Leamington will receive $250,000 to help with capital improvements to enhance the uptown core.

This accounts for about 30 per cent of the estimated costs of the projects.

Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ernie Hardeman, is backed by Chatham-Kent-Leamington MPP Rick Nicholls in making his announcement in uptown Leamington on Friday, September 18. Sun photo

Leamington has earmarked the funds as $160,000 to John Street Centennial Park, $9,000 to finish up Shotton Parkette, $73,729 for Erie and Talbot streetscapes, and $7,270 to the Mill Parkette beside Main-West Furniture as well as the alley behind it.

All projects, except for the Erie Talbot Streetscapes, are currently under construction, with the RFP for that project currently under review.

Mayor MacDonald thanked the minister for making the trip to Leamington and allotting those funds.

“This project — the reinvention of the uptown, has been near and dear to my heart and those of council,” she said.