The Saskatchewan government will invest $10 million to build new economic opportunities for the two southern communities once coal power facilities are closed by the end of the decade.

The new funding is on top of a previous $10 million provided by the provincial government in 2020.

SaskPower has identified the Estevan region as a potential location for two Small Modular Reactor sites.

The Coronach investment will be administered by South Saskatchewan Ready, an economic partnership of nine rural communities and rural municipalities. For Estevan, the money will be directed to the Municipal Coal Transition Committee, which has representatives from the City of Estevan, two rural municipalities and the Town of Bienfait.