North Central Community Futures Development Corporation launched a new pilot program April 1 specifically for communities in the north central Manitoba.
The pilot program, "Growing Communities," will offer up to $2,500 per community for community development initiatives.
Glen Flett, who represents the Norway House Community Council on the board of directors of North Central Community Futures Development Corporation, said the board "hopes that the Growing Communities program will assist communities in pursuing economic development initiatives at the local level that best meet the needs of community as determined by the community."The mission of the North Central Community Futures Development Corporation is to "bring together to support, develop, and promote communities, individuals, organizations, business and other appropriate stakeholders within the North central region of Manitoba to encourage self reliance and viability of the social and economic quality of life."The North central region covers approximately 133,000 square kilometers within Northern Manitoba with an estimated population of 30,725, made up of 17 communities, including three urban-industrial; seven First Nations and seven Northern Affairs communities, which are local government bodies assisted in their administration by Manitoba's Department of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs.
Councils in the communities deliver services in support of sustainable development and improvements to the quality of life in remote Northern areas of Manitoba.Manitoba Aboriginal and Northern Affairs was created in 1974 to replace the former Commission of Northern Affairs as the co-ordinator of provincial government activity in Northern Manitoba. The Department provides various services to 51 unincorporated remote communities and one incorporated community under the jurisdiction of the Northern Affairs Act.
North Central Community Futures Development Corporation communities include Churchill, Cross Lake, Fox Lake, Gillam, Ilford, Nelson House, Norway House, Pikwitonei, Split Lake, Thicket Portage, Thompson, Wabowden, War Lake and York Landing.
Thompson Mayor Tim Johnston, who is the manager of North Central Community Futures Development Corporation, said eligible projects under the pilot program "are those that add to the general wellbeing of a community while stimulating economic growth. Examples could be a community dock, tourism initiative, community event or website.
Applications under the pilot program can be made to the North Central Community Futures Development Corporation's community development committee.
