A number of local projects are getting a financial boost thanks to $25 million dollars in provincial funding.

The funding is through the Building Sustainable Communities (BSC) program and will support 428 community development projects throughout the province, Municipal Relations Minister Andrew Smith announced Tuesday. 

“Locally developed projects are, by design, tailored to address their community’s specific, unique needs and opportunities,” said Smith. “Our government is pleased to continue supporting community-based projects that foster thriving, sustainable neighbourhoods and improve residents’ quality of life.”

Many projects here in the Pembina Valley will benefit from the 2023/24 round of grants. They are:

Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre (1971) Inc. Equipment Upgrade $62,075 (Morden)
Morden Community Curling Club Inc. Facility Upgrades $32,505 
Pembina Valley Humane Society Inc. Community Education and Volunteer Recruitment $30,000 (Morden)

Carman Dufferin Grey Planning District Development Plan and Zoning Bylaw Updates $60,000 
Carman Golf and Country Club Golf Course Upgrade $40,914 

City of Winkler Lion's Park Upgrades $72,372 
City of Winkler Winkler Reinfeld Pathway Phase 1 $150,000 
The Bunker Youth Ministry Youth Centre Upgrades $41,000 (Winkler)
Winkler Whips Senior Baseball Team Baseball Diamond Upgrade $75,000 

Crystal City Community Centre Board Arena Upgrades $145,925 

Elmwood Home & School Association Playground Upgrades $39,375 (Altona)

Lloyd Orchard Community Arena Facility Upgrade $6,248 (Miami)

Morris and District Centennial Museum Inc. Facility Upgrades $3,000 
Morris Multiplex Inc. Facility Upgrades $18,783 
Town of Morris Pool Renovation and Retrofit $300,000 
Town of Morris Development Plan and Zoning ByLaw Updates $50,000
Valley Agricultural Society Stampede Grounds Upgrade $36,829 (Morris)
Valley Regional Library Facility Upgrades $3,000 (Morris)

Nellie McClung Heritage Site McClung House Upgrades $117,118 (Manitou)

Pilot Mound Swimming Pool Louise Aquatic Centre Upgrades $300,000 
United Community Arts Inc Pilot Mound Arts Centre Upgrades $13,500

R.M. of Stanley Municipal Pathway Phase 1 $123,616 
R.M. of Stanley Stanley Park Upgrades $68,304 

R.M. of Thompson Zoning Bylaw Update $19,102 

Roseau Crossing Heritage Park Campground Enhancement $20,378 (Dominion City)

Town of Carman Pool Upgrades $33,664 
Youth for Christ (Winnipeg) Inc. Carman Youth Centre Upgrades Phase 2 $75,000

The BSC program was launched in 2019 to offer municipalities and non-profit organizations a new program that streamlined administrative processes and reduced red tape, the minister noted, adding that the program replaced seven programs that were restrictive, operated in silos and were administratively burdensome. Since 2019, the BSC program has committed over $82 million to support 1,745 community projects throughout Manitoba and leveraged $185 million in other funding sources.

The grant program supports planning activities, organizational capacity building projects, equipment costs, capital infrastructure and other local or regional initiatives that enhance the sustainability of communities.

BSC projects can receive up to 50 per cent toward eligible costs. The maximum grant for projects in the regular stream is $75,000, while larger-scale capital projects can receive up to $300,000. Approved projects, with the exception of planning activities, are required to have a minimum of 10 per cent of funding from non-government sources.

The 2023-24 BSC program intake period closed on Jan. 23 with 655 applications received.