SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Millions of dollars in infrastructure funding for the NWT was announced last week.

As part of the influx of money, the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund will help complete 15 projects worth more than $7.9 million.

Of that total, the federal government will provide up to $3.6 million, the GNWT will contribute up to $2.2 million, and the remaining costs will be covered by community governments.

In addition, funding is being provided for 26 projects worth $85.8 million under the Provincial-Territorial Base Funding Agreement.

The breakdown of funding sources for those projects is 66 per cent federal, 18 per cent community governments, 13 per cent GNWT, and three per cent from other sources.

Those 26 projects were approved in the NWT 2009-2010 accelerated capital plan.

Tuktoyaktuk Mayor Merven Gruben welcomed the funding, which includes $900,000 for replacement of the community's air terminal and an undisclosed amount for phase two of a gravel road access.

"Of course, it's all good," Gruben said. "We could always use more money, that's for sure."

A breakdown of funding going to each project under the Provincial-Territorial Base Funding Agreement has not been released since some have not yet gone to tender.

In Fort Resolution, Tausia Kaitu'u-Lal welcomed funding for a youth complex.

"Any time you can get extra funding to support current funding it's a very good thing for small communities," she said.

Kaitu'u-Lal said a youth centre is much needed in Fort Resolution.

The funding was announced Sept. 10 at a Yellowknife news conference by NWT Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger and federal representative Dennis Patterson, a recent Senate nominee from Nunavut.

Miltenberger said the funding will create jobs and help build stronger, sustainable and vibrant communities.

"These investments will improve key transportation, recreation and municipal infrastructure priorities," he said.

Patterson said the funding from both sources will stimulate the Northern economy and are designed to be completed in the 2009-2010 construction seasons.

Projects include such things as relocation of airports in Colville Lake and Trout Lake; construction of community recreation facilities, offices or complexes in Enterprise, Ulukhaktok, Gameti, Behchoko, Kakisa and Dettah; an arena upgrade in Fort Providence; an above-ground pool in Tulita; and new airport terminals in Tuktoyaktuk, Sachs Harbour and Paulatuk.

In all, 23 communities are benefiting from the funding.

The federal and territorial governments have agreed to work with the NWT Association of Communities (NWTAC) to ensure the infrastructure funds are delivered quickly and efficiently.

Yellowknife Mayor Gordon Van Tighem, the president of the NWTAC, welcomed the projects.

"Thanks to this funding, community governments can build projects their residents want and need to improve their quality of life," Van Tighem said in a press release. "These infrastructure investments reflect the priorities set by communities themselves."