April 2, 2014
Manitoba Communities Encouraged to Apply for Economic Development Grants
– – –Stronger Community Partnerships, Growth Supported by Increased Funding: Minister Kostyshyn
BRANDON—Funding for Manitoba’s Partner 4 Growth program is doubling and will offer up to $260,000 in grants to support community-led projects focused on strengthening and diversifying local economies and creating new jobs, Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Minister Ron Kostytshyn announced here today.
“Partner 4 Growth supports communities working together to find new opportunities, explore new markets and create local jobs,” said Minister Kostyshyn. “By taking a regional approach, communities of every size are encouraged to work together, make plans and take action to build economic success, based on their own unique mix of resources, infrastructure and expertise.”
The program provides grants of up to $8,000 to help communities identify regional development projects and undertake feasibility studies. A second grant of up to $15,000 is available to help complete projects identified in the first part of the process. Both grants are cost-shared with the community, with government funding not to exceed 50 per cent of total project costs. All projects must be regionally focused and involve more than one local government to support regional partnerships and broader economic planning.
“The AMM is pleased to see the Partner 4 Growth program renewed and its funding increased for 2014,” said Doug Dobrowolski, president of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities. “Economic development is truly the lifeblood of Manitoba and these resources will have a real impact on our communities.”
Last year, the Manitoba government budgeted $130,000 for the program and funded 15 successful projects through the Partner 4 Growth program. More than 100 local governments and First Nation communities worked together to develop and implement new ideas focused on economic growth and diversification. Some of the funding for projects last year included:
- A $15,000 grant for the Beausejour Brokenhead Development Corporation to develop a 3-D image of what the region will look like over the next 20 years based on plans for business, housing and infrastructure. These images will be used in a promotional video to attract new business to the region.
- $10,000 for the McCreary District Economic Development Board to pursue experiential tourism development based on the region’s strengths in agriculture, arts, entertainment and recreation.
- $8,000 for the Lynn Lake Community Development Corporation to investigate the feasibility of a regionally based essential oil business because many local plants and trees have cosmetic, pharmaceutical and other uses.
Manitoba communities and not-for-profit organizations outside of Winnipeg are eligible to apply including rural municipalities, towns, local government districts, First Nations communities, chambers of commerce and industry or tourism associations.
More information about the Partner 4 Growth program and how to apply can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture in the section on Rural Communities at the Economic Development link or at the nearest GO Office. The application deadline is May 31.
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