Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Minister Ron Kostyshyn has announced that Manitoba’s expanded Partner 4 Growth grant program will provide approximately $260,000 to support 32 regional economic development initiatives.
The following two Swan Valley projects have received funding from the Partner 4 Growth program this year.
The RM of Mountain has received a grant for a new subdivision they are planning in the Sclater/Cowan area of the region. The funding will help pay for engineered drawings, site surveys, drainage work and legal fees associated with planning the new subdivision. The larger region has identified the need to attract skilled immigrants to the Swan Valley region and this project will help to address the housing shortages in the region.
Swan Valley Regional Initiative for a Strong Economy (RISE) has received a grant to develop a stronger brand for the region and promote this for business investment and tourism. The funding will be used to develop tourism marketing materials including brochures, billboards and signage which will also be used to strengthen the regional working relationship.
“By working together, Manitoba’s communities are exploring new and unique economic opportunities and we are proud to support this process,” said Minister Kostyshyn. “Dedicated community leaders are looking at the bigger picture, learning what will have the greatest benefits for everyone in the region and then using the Partner 4 Growth grants to help that plan become a reality.”
Fourteen grants of up to $8,000 will be provided to help communities identify regional development projects and undertake feasibility studies. Eighteen grants of up to $15,000 will help complete the projects that will have a positive impact on the region.
“Partner 4 Growth grants help to provide meaningful economic development support to municipalities,” said Doug Dobrowolski, president, Association of Manitoba Municipalities. “Along with contributions from our members, these resources will fund some exciting and diverse regional projects.”
To be eligible, all projects had to be regionally focused and involve more than one local government. These grants are cost-shared with the community, with government funding not to exceed 50 per cent of total project costs. As a result, Minister Kostyshyn noted the provincial investment has leveraged nearly $670,000 in support for these projects from other sources.
Examples of funded projects include:
* Portage Regional Economic Development will find ways to market local products and help producers identify new opportunities;
* the Beausejour Brokenhead Development Corporation will host a forum to promote business and industrial opportunities in the region;
* the Arborg Bifrost Community Development Corporation will co-ordinate a project with several First Nations communities, local businesses and educational institutions to provide manufacturing training for First Nations people;
* the Town of Erickson, Rural Municipality of Clanwilliam and Rural Municipality of Park will examine the feasibility of bringing broadband Internet services to their communities;
* the Rural Municipality of Pipestone Community Development Corporation will implement several projects from its strategic plan to attract business and industry startups and expansions;
* Thompson’s Spirit Way Inc. will explore the feasibility of creating a Wolf Centre of Excellence, which would include academic research and tourism opportunities built on the local wolf population; and
* the Niverville Chamber of Commerce will take part in the First Impressions Community Exchange program, where first-time visitors will provide ideas to make the town an even better place to live.
Earlier this year, Minister Kostyshyn announced the grant program would be doubled to $260,000 to ensure more communities and regional projects benefit from the funding.
A complete list of Partner 4 Growth grants awarded this year and more information about the program is available at www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/rural-communities/economic-development/index.html.