The Town of Hinton and the Trans Mountain Expansion Project have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a Community Benefit Agreement that will see a $250,000 contribution toward development and improvement in the community. Trans Mountain has been pursuing Community Benefit Agreements with those along the pipeline corridor to provide direct benefits to communities if the proposed expansion project is approved and constructed. This contribution by Trans Mountain will be used by Hinton for constructing an expanded parking lot for Hinton Bike Park, expanding Hinton’s trail network and connections to regional trail systems and funding for education to provide support to students in the trades, technology and environmental programs.

“Our agreement with Trans Mountain will allow Council to further key projects intended to benefit the community,” said Rob Mackin, Mayor of Hinton. “With potential impacts to the Town should the Project receive approval, this agreement would provide positive outcomes for our community. This MOU can open up new investment opportunities in the community resulting from the Trans Mountain Expansion Project.”

“It is a critical goal for all of us working on the Project to ensure the communities we operate in and are impacted by construction are fully acknowledged,” said Ian Anderson, President of Kinder Morgan Canada. “This agreement with the Town of Hinton will provide local and direct benefit to the people of this community through enhancements to parks and trails. Students, particularly in programs relating to the pipeline industry, will also benefit from funding toward their education.”

Kinder Morgan values the relationships it has with the communities along its existing pipeline system and the proposed pipeline project; these span over more than 60 years of history. This agreement was signed as part of an overall effort underway by Kinder Morgan Canada to work with pipeline-affected communities to identify local opportunities to give something back in recognition of the public inconveniences and temporary disruption created by construction of the proposed expansion. Additional agreements with municipalities and communities along the pipeline corridor are expected as project planning continues.