Provincial program aims to revitalize neighbourhoods

BRANDON — The Building Sustainable Communities initiative introduced by the previous provincial government is being replaced by a new $12.5-million community funding program.

“This new initiative will bring municipalities and community organizations on board to tackle root causes of poverty and exclusion and will engage kids in meaningful activities,” Municipal Minister Ian Bushie said in a Monday news conference at the Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation building.

“By keeping youth engaged in positive recreation through well-funded programs, we can have a huge impact that keeps them out of a lifestyle of drugs and gangs,” Bushie said.

The minister said the program is intended to become permanent.

The opposition Progressive Conservatives, meanwhile, criticized the announcement, saying the NDP halved funding compared to the previous program.

Until May 31, non-profits, municipal governments (except the City of Winnipeg) and Northern Affairs Community Councils can apply for grants to the “From the Ground Up” program under three streams: community renewal initiatives, community spaces and “healthy, safe connected children and youth.”

Under the first two streams, non-profits can get up to 80 per cent of program costs up to $100,000 covered and municipalities can get up to 50 per cent of costs up to a maximum of $100,000 covered.

In the youth stream, the percentages remain the same, but the maximum available funding is just $50,000 per project.

Of the $12.5 million, $800,000 is set aside specifically for “after-school and weekend programs and weekend program in high-needs areas in Winnipeg, Brandon and Thompson.”

As for why Building Sustainable Communities is being replaced rather than extended, Bushie said that program was increased as a pandemic recovery measure and the new initiative will allow the province to take a more targeted approach to Manitoba neighbourhoods in need.

Bushie listed after-school programs, youth drop-in programs, recreation programming, community centres, drop-in centres, play areas and splash pads as projects eligible for funding.

Also speaking at the announcement was Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Glen Simard, the NDP MLA for Brandon East.

“I think the No. 1 thing that we can really agree on is revitalizing communities,” Simard said. “It’s what I heard every single day on the election campaign trail when I went door to door.”

More information on the From the Ground Up program and how to apply can be found online at gov.mb.ca/grants.

— Brandon Sun