Grants have been awarded to 21 projects in 16 municipalities across Alberta to support the development of long-term resilience to flood and drought events.

The support is part of Alberta’s budget for 2015 and the Alberta Community Resilience Program (ACRP), which will provide $500 million over 10 years to cities, improvement districts and special areas.

The first round of grants include projects to build flood barriers and upgrade water management infrastructure in areas most impacted by the 2013 floods, such as Calgary. Calgary received ACRP grant approval for four projects that include lower deck flood barrier improvements for the Centre Street Bridge and a permanent flood barrier along Heritage Drive SE.

“We need a comprehensive approach to both local and upstream flood mitigation measures, and I look forward to our continued partnership to provide the most effective flood mitigation to protect people, property, critical infrastructure, and our economy, said Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi.

The City of Edmonton will use its ACRP support to construct two new dry ponds and expand an existing dry pond to protect communities from flooding, increase stormwater management and expand water storage capacity.

Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson said significant funding is still required, but the money will help build resiliency to “increasingly intense weather.”

The next submissions deadline for ACRP is September 30, 2015.