Financial Assistance

Hometown Manitoba 2016

DESCRIPTION

This program provides financial support for rural and northern community projects initiated by local communities, organizations, co-operatives and businesses that enhance main street public places and building exteriors. The program also aims to promote unique identities and themes that define a community. Program objectives include:

  1. Enhance the appearance/greening and use of community gathering places and exterior structure upgrading in main street areas.
  2. Support the creation of outdoor spaces that are attractive to local and regional citizens and tourists.
  3. Support projects that advance community identities and themes.
  4. Encourage community use and increased investment in main street areas.
  5. Promote the use of local products, services and talents.
  6. Support community-driven projects that build community pride and citizen involvement.

Program Components

Hometown Manitoba offers funding for three program components:

Hometown Meeting Places supports community projects that enhance main street areas and public places. Projects may include developing/upgrading/greening outdoor spaces and other enhancements to exterior public and non-profit facilities that are accessible to the general community. These may include outdoor spaces associated with parks, community gathering places, seniors and youth centres, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, schools, libraries, churches, museums, public administration buildings and other similar facilities. The project must have community support (a resolution or letter of support from the local council must accompany the application).

Hometown Main Streets Enhancements support projects that focus on upgrading the appearance of building exteriors, structures and exterior spaces in main street areas. Projects may include building facelifts/upgrading, new signage that reflects a community theme and landscaping enhancements. Individual projects must be part of an overall community enhancement initiative. Projects must be located in a public place within the main street area and help to advance a community theme or identity.

Hometown Tree Planting supports community greening initiatives for rural municipalities and town organizations. Eligible projects include parks, golf courses or entrances to communities and may not necessarily have to be located in the main street area. Trees must be purchased from a Manitoba based nursery.

WHO QUALIFIES

Eligible applicants for each component include:

Hometown Meeting Places

  • non-profit community organization, municipality, northern community council or co-operative

Hometown Main Streets Enhancements

  • non-profit community organization, small business or co-operative

Hometown Tree Planting

  • non-profit community organization, municipality, northern community council or co-operative

Projects in all categories may involve local artists in public art projects such as building murals, permanent banners and sculptures, provided they are part of a broader project that supports a community identity, cultural, heritage or tourism theme.

 AVAILABLE ASSISTANCE

Hometown Meeting Places
  • The program will contribute up to 1/3 of total eligible project costs, to a maximum of $5,000.
  • The local/municipal government must contribute a minimum of 1/3 of eligible project costs, in cash, with the balance being provided by the project proponent. (The project proponent may provide an acceptable in-kind contribution).
  • For Northern Affairs Communities, the program will contribute up to 1/2 of total eligible costs up to a maximum of $5,000 with the balance of the funds being provided by the project proponent.

Hometown Main Street Enhancements

  • The program will contribute up to 1/2 of total eligible project costs, to a maximum of $1,000.
  • The applicant will make up the balance of eligible costs, in cash. In-kind costs are not eligible.

Hometown Tree Planting

  • The program will contribute up to 1/2 of total eligible project costs, to a maximum of $5,000.
  • The applicant will make up the balance of eligible costs, in cash or in-kind (to a maximum of 25% of the project costs or $2,500, whichever is less).

Other provincial government funding sources will be taken into account to ensure that the total amount of provincial support does not exceed the identified eligible maximums under the program. The only exception applies to projects where youth are involved where, in addition to Hometown Manitoba funding, the community or project proponent may also access provincial or federal youth employment programs such as Green Team Hometown, Environmental Youth Corps and Youth Serves Manitoba.

Eligible project costs for the program include:

  • purchase of materials and supplies
  • equipment rentals
  • development/building permits
  • utility hook-ups
  • trade/contractor fees

Hometown Manitoba will not cover salaries, including those associated with design and architectural fees or projects that would fall under the category of regular municipal infrastructure, such as sewer and water installation and repair, street and sidewalk paving projects, ongoing maintenance and GST costs. Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development may approve all, or a portion of, the project(s) included in a community’s application or a lesser amount per project. Provincial contribution(s) are paid to the project applicant as reimbursement for approved and paid project costs.

Costs incurred before application approval are not eligible.

HOW TO APPLY

Submit your signed application form by mail, email or fax to:

Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
Box 190, 203 South Railway Street
Killarney, MB R0K 1G0
Phone: 204-523-2194
Fax:  204-523-5272   

Detailed cost estimates and project funding must be shown to determine costs eligible for support and the ability of the applicant to complete the project. MAFRD staff can help advise applicants on their ideas and potential projects. 

Applications should include:
  •  name of community and proposed community partners in the program
  • statement of local objectives under the program (identity, theme, etc.)
  • project type and description (public places, business, public art, etc.)
  • potential sources of local funding (government, community organizations, volunteers, etc.)
  • how the project(s) will contribute to the community
  • how the project will meet the program objectives

 Application Form (PDF 59 KB)

APPLICATION DEADLINE 

December 15, 2015

WHO TO CONTACT

Paige McDougall, Program Administrator, 204-523-2194

 

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROGRAM

Download the complete list of approved projects (PDF 51 KB) from the Hometown Manitoba 2015 program.