November 16, 2020
Province Opens Intake for Manitoba Bridge Grant
– – –Immediate $5,000 Grant Protecting Manitoba Businesses and Organizations Impacted by Public Health Orders: Pallister
Manitoba businesses and organizations required to close under current public health orders are now able to apply online for a $5,000 Manitoba Bridge Grant, Premier Brian Pallister announced today.
“We recognize the significant sacrifices our local business community has made in the face of this pandemic in order to protect all Manitobans,” said Pallister. “We have been working and will continue to work side-by-side with our business community to help them do what they do best – employ Manitobans, and offer services Manitobans rely and depend on. Many of them can’t do that right now, which is why we offering a $5,000 grant to help bridge them through this unprecedented time.”
The application form is now live for the Manitoba Bridge Grant, which provides a $5,000 grant upfront to eligible small and medium-sized businesses and organizations that were required to fully close their premises to the public because of Manitoba COVID-19 public health orders in effect as of Nov. 12.
The list includes non-essential retailers, restaurants, bars, beverage rooms, brewpubs, microbreweries, distilleries, recreation and sport facilities, museums and galleries, theatres and concert halls, not-for-profit organizations, faith-based organizations and registered charities. The full list and application criteria is available on the program page at www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/programs/bridge-grant.html.
“The best thing we can do for our businesses is to bend our COVID curve down. I encourage all Manitobans to follow the advice of Dr. Roussin and our heath leaders to stay home in order to halt the spread of this virus and protect our most vulnerable Manitobans. Manitobans can safely show their support for our local businesses through online shopping and curb-side pickup and delivery options,” the premier said.
He noted that businesses that received other federal or provincial funding, such as the Manitoba Gap Prevention Program, are welcome to apply for the Manitoba Bridge Grant. He noted the Manitoba Gap Prevention Program has concluded, with $59 million paid out to more than 9,800 businesses in the province.
“We would like to thank the province for making these grants available to businesses like ours,” said Costa and Ernie Cholakis of Broadway Florists. “The Cholakis family has been running Broadway Florists for 97 years (three generations) and this type of support will make the difference and allow us to continue on for years to come. We also appreciate all of the Manitobans who are buying local and supporting businesses like ours during these challenging times.”
Businesses and organizations that were actively conducting business in the province immediately before the implementation of applicable public health orders are able to apply for one immediate $5,000 grant per business number. The payment will be automatically deposited within 10 business days after their application is approved.
The program application deadline is Dec. 15. Should the public health orders remain in place past Jan. 1, 2021, the Manitoba Bridge Grant may be extended to provide an additional $5,000 to eligible organizations.
The premier noted the province is committed to making at least $250 million available to protect Manitoba’s business community at this critical time in the pandemic, through the first and potentially second round of Manitoba Bridge Grant payments as well as initial supporting funds of up to $50 million for business groups, such as the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, that were asked to provide government with a long-term recovery funding plan for Manitoba businesses coming out of COVID-19.
For assistance to complete the online form, applicants can contact Manitoba Government Inquiry at 204-945-3744 or toll-free at 1-866-MANITOBA (626-4862).
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