FRANCAIS

December 01, 2000

THOMPSON--The province's new Neighbourhoods Alive! initiative to assist in rebuilding urban neighbourhoods in need was launched today in Thompson with support aimed at kick-starting local revitalization efforts, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Jean Friesen has announced.

The Neighbourhood Renewal Fund of Neighbourhoods Alive! will provide an initial $5,000 to the Thompson Neighbourhoods Alive! committee for activities geared towards starting the renewal process. The committee, an umbrella organization of local stakeholders, will be undertaking an outreach campaign that includes encouraging revitalization proposals from community groups.

"Congratulations to the Thompson Neighbourhoods Alive! committee on the leadership they are showing," said Highways and Government Services Minister Steve Ashton, on behalf of Friesen, lead minister for Neighbourhoods Alive! "This is an important first step in a long-term process that will bring government and community together to support revitalization efforts that are prioritized by the community itself."

Neighbourhoods Alive! is a long-term, community-based, social and economic development strategy that supports and encourages community-driven revitalization efforts in specific neighbourhoods in Winnipeg, Brandon and Thompson. The strategy encourages efforts in key areas including housing and physical improvements; employment and training; education and recreation; and safety and crime prevention.

Neighbourhoods Alive! consists of several components, including the Neighbourhoods Renewal Fund, a $2 million fund which provides financial support to community organizations for local planning and programming. Other components of Neighbourhoods Alive! include up to $1 million in funding for housing renewal in Brandon and Thompson.

Ashton stressed that today's announcement is only the beginning of a process for renewing neighbourhoods.

"Neighbourhoods Alive! recognizes that each community is unique, and that the best insights and most effective solutions for renewal can be found within the community itself," the minister concluded. "We are looking forward to working with Thompson, its residents, community groups and other local organizations on revitalization initiatives that will benefit the citizens of Thompson and their families."

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