As part of Budget 2022: Recover Together, the Manitoba government is investing $25 million in the Building Sustainable Communities (BSC) program to fund local projects that will support economic growth and recovery throughout the province, Premier Heather Stefanson and Municipal Relations Minister Eileen Clarke announced today at the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) Spring Convention.
Budget 2022 more than doubles the provincial budget for the BSC fund to $25 million from $10.3 million.
The program funds a maximum contribution of 50 per cent of eligible project costs up to a maximum grant of $75,000 to support planning activities, organizational capacity, building projects, community and regional initiatives, and capital infrastructure to extend, improve or enhance existing public-use facilities and spaces. A minimum non-government cash contribution of 10 per cent is also required for all projects except planning projects.
Launched in 2019, the BSC program gives municipalities and non-profit organizations a single point of access to community grants. In 2021-22, the program was expanded to include support for larger-scale capital projects with a maximum grant contribution of 50 per cent of eligible capital project costs up to $300,000.
The 2022-23 BSC program intake closed on Jan. 17 and more than 600 applications were received. Manitoba Municipal Relations is currently reviewing and assessing the applications.
For more information on the BSC program, visit www.gov.mb.ca/grants/grant-name.html#b.