A $75.2 million investment has been divided to help communities across the province meet local needs and demands to improve the quality of their lives.

The East Kootenay region received a grand total of $1,296,364 as part of the provincial pie that was distributed on June 26th.

“These grants show our government’s commitment to build stronger, vibrant and safer communities,” said Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett in a recent press release.

“Local governments can use this funding to invest directly into programs and priorities that are important to each of them, improving the overall quality of life in our region.”

The funding provided is aimed at supporting communities initiatives, such as more policing, new equipment, increased community safety initiatives, infrastructure and maintenance for service delivery priorities.

The Regional District of East Kootenay received a Regional District grant of $116,215.

Cranbrook received traffic fine revenue of $171,631 and a Small Community grant of $119,360.

Fernie received a Small Community grant of $322,328.

Elkford received a Small Community grant of $263,100.

Sparwood received a Small Community grant of $303,730.

The money provided across the province has been distributed in two annual payments, including $40 million in March.

More than $792 million of funding to support B.C. communities to invest in community projects on a local level has been doled out through the Small Community, Regional District and Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Grants since 2009.