The Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association welcomes the additional infrastructure funding introduced by the provincial government Wednesday.

President Shantel Lipp said this funding will make a big difference.

“We think that it’s going to really assist the industry in moving ahead to build some much-needed infrastructure, that’s for sure.”

Lipp said heavy construction generates roughly seven -percent of Saskatchewan’s GDP on an annual basis.

“This funding commitment will really go a long way in maintaining jobs, and hopefully adding more employment to the province of Saskatchewan,” Lipp said. “Right now, we are on track annually to employ about 30,000 people, and so we think that this stimulus money will probably grow those numbers by at least 10,000.”

Of the additional $2 billion in funding announced yesterday, $300 million of that will be used for highway projects, something the SHCA says will help Saskatchewan secure trade and economic opportunities.