Prince Edward County Council allocated up to $1 million in tourism-related revenues on Tuesday for the County Road 49 Community Benefit Fund.

The fund, established earlier this month, with its $10 million target, will let individuals and businesses finanically support the reconstruction of County Road 49. It is now estimated that it will cost around $30 million to reconstruct the the 18.6 kilometre high-traffic volume road. The goal of the community fund is to influence the Ontario and federal governments, for the remaining $20 million.

In recognizing tourism’s impact on the road, the County Road 49 Working Group of Council is hoping for $1 million in Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) revenues to be earmarked in the county’s upcoming proposed 2024 Capital Budget.

During discussions, Hillier Coun. Chris Braney aimed to clear the air about whether filling the community fund will need a top-up via increased property taxes. He signalled that their ultimate objective is to hold the upper levels of government accountable for the state of the road.

Picton Coun. Phil St-Jean described that the proposal as a serious one because it signaled the county's serious intent to the provincial and federal governments and demonstrated that tourism can contribute to the community.

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