Over $2.3 million to northern Manitoba businesses and organizations announced at the unveiling of one of seven new PrairiesCan service locations
PrairiesCan service locations are situated across the Prairies to support businesses and communities locally. Today, in Thompson, Manitoba, the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan, Minister for CanNor, and Minister of Northern Affairs, unveiled a new location serving communities and businesses in Thompson and across northern Manitoba. This enhanced approach to on-the-ground presence for PrairiesCan will increase accessibility for businesses and support economic development in more communities across the Prairies, helping develop businesses and creating good, local, reliable jobs.
Minister Vandal also announced PrairiesCan funding of $2,350,435 for seven projects in communities across northern Manitoba. This funding is provided through the Western Diversification Program, Regional Relief and Recovery Fund, and Canada Community Revitalization Fund programs.
PrairiesCan is investing $364,000 through the Community Economic Development and Diversification program (CEDD) for one project. Through the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF), there is an investment of $1,163,975 to support three (3) projects. And $822,460 through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) to support three (3) recreation and community revitalization projects. The combined $2.3 million investment in Northern Manitoba provides more opportunities for growth and a prosperous economic future for the North.
Community Economic Development and Diversification
The CEDD program supports economic development initiatives that contribute to the economic growth and diversification of communities across the Prairie provinces. Through this program, PrairiesCan enables communities to leverage their capacity and strengths to respond to economic development opportunities and adjust to changing and challenging economic circumstances. Today, PrairiesCan announced one Manitoba CEDD funded project:
- Thompson Community Development Corporation - ($364,000)
Diversify the Thompson economy by building on its winter testing capabilities. Thompson is a global centre for cold weather testing of vehicles and aircraft.
Regional Relief and Recovery Fund
As part of Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, the RRRF helps businesses and organizations across Canada to mitigate financial pressures caused by the pandemic. Through the RRRF, the government of Canada is providing over $2 billion to help keep people employed, and to sustain employers for recovery. One quarter of the Fund was targeted to support the tourism sector. Three Manitoba RRRF recipients receiving funding were announced today:
- Frontiers North Inc. ($1,000,000)
Help ensure business continuity, maintain employment, and well-position the company for the eventual return of foreign leisure travellers to Canada and to Churchill.
- Alluring Impressions Day Spa and Medispa Inc. ($63,975)
Help position the organization to continue providing goods and services to their communities and maintain employment.
- Communities Economic Development Fund ($100,000)
Deliver digital training and coaching to Northern Manitoba tourism businesses in Thompson, The Pas, and Flin Flon during COVID-19.
Canada Community Revitalization Fund
As part of Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, the CCRF helps communities across Canada build and improve community infrastructure projects so they can continue to rebound from the pandemic. With a national investment of $500 million over 2 years, the Fund's purpose is to help not-for-profit organizations, municipalities, and other community groups, as well as Indigenous communities build new community infrastructure and revitalize existing assets, bring people to public spaces, create jobs, and stimulate local economies. Today, three (3) Manitoba CCRF recipients receiving funding through PrairiesCan were announced:
- The Town of Churchill ($318,088)
Build a multi-purpose outdoor space in the downtown square in Churchill.
- University College of the North ($382,500)
Construct outdoor Indigenous gathering spaces in the University College of the North campuses located in The Pas and Thompson.
- The Pas Friendship Centre ($121,872)
Create a new community kitchen and gathering space in the downtown area.
