churchill region economic development fund · 2020-05-18 · churchill region economic development...

ChurchillRegionEconomicDevelopmentFundApprovedProjects-asofMarch2020

01:TownofChurchill-Mould&AsbestosAbatementProgram($191,737)

Manyofthenow-vacantbuildingsinChurchillhavesomedegreeofasbestos-containingmaterials.Asbestoswasusedasafireproofingmaterial,aswellasaddedtoconcrete,asphalt,vinylmaterials,pipes,siding,wallboard,floortiles,jointcompoundsandadhesives.ThisprojecttraianedtenpreviousPortofChurchillemployeesbyprovidingthemwithavaluableskillsetinmould&asbestosabatement.Inadditiontoaone-weektrainingprogram,thisproposedprojectofferedemploymentandpracticalexperienceintheremediationoftwoproperties:TheTheatreandtheformerDukeofMarlboroughSchool.

STATUS:APPROVED,COMPLETED

02:TownofChurchill-HeavyEquipmentOperatorTrainingProgram($462,165)

TheChurchillarea'stourisminfrastructureincludesmuchmorethanjustthephysicaltownsite.Thereareover50kilometersofessentialroadsandtrailsthroughoutunoccupiedCrownlandsintheareathatsupportandsustaintourismgrowthanddevelopment.Thedemandsontheexistingroadsareenormousandcannotsustainthecombinedtourismandupcomingconstructiontraffic(forthenewChurchillMarineObservatory).ThroughUniversityCollegeoftheNorth,thisprogramwilltrainandemployasHeavyEquipmentOperatorstenpreviousPortemployeesaffectedbytheAugust2016Portclosure.Thetrainingwillincludeboththeoretical(classroom)andpracticalcomponents.AllparticipantswillbecomeTownofChurchillemployees.


03:ThompsonZoologicalSociety-BorealDiscoveryCentre($136,000)

TheBorealDiscoveryCentrerepresentsaboldnewvisionfortheformerThompsonZoo.Thestate-of-the-artfacilitywillfocusonprogrammingandeducationaboutanimalspeciesthatmaketheirhomeintheBaylineregionoftheBorealForestofManitoba.TheCentrewillofferinteractiveandexperientialprogrammingprovidedbyfacilitatorswhoknowbothtraditionalandmodernmethodsofharvesting,housing,healthcareandeconomictrade.Projectfundingwillbeusedtodevelopaworld-classliveSturgeonhabitatshowingthespeciesinvariousstagesofdevelopment.ThisexhibitwillbethecenterpieceofwhattheyhopetobethenextManitobaStarAttractionintheregion.


AdditionalinformationonTheBorealDiscoveryCentreandLakeSturgeonexhibit:

http://www.thompsoncitizen.net/news/thompson/boreal-discovery-centre-unveils-new-renovations-at-sept-28-agm-1.23055387

04:OneNorthInc.($562,000)

AgroupofManitobaFirstNations,northernmunicipalitiesandorganizationshaveincorporatedasOneNorthandcometogethertoproposesolutionstoissuesplaguingthereliabilityandcostsofCanada’snortherntransportationcorridor,andespeciallythoseurgentmattersrelatedtotheHudsonBayRailwayandPortofChurchill.OneNorthwillcreateabusinesscasefornorthernstakeholderstoleadintheacquisitionofthesecriticalinfrastructureassets.Thebusinesscasewillalsoincludeaplanforgovernance,financing,andongoingoperationoftheHudsonBayRailwayandPortofChurchill.


AdditionalinformationonOneNorth/ArcticGatewayGroup'sprogress:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/churchill-raiway-sale-omnitrax-1.4807450

05:AtoskiwinTrainingandEmploymentCentre-PewapunConstructionLtd.($334,000)

TheAtoskiwinTrainingandEmploymentCentre(ATEC)isa27,000-squarefootnon-profit,community-basedaccreditedpost-secondarytrainingfacilitythatwasopenedin2006.ATEC'smandateistoproduceandsustainacompetitiveIndigenousworkforcebyprovidingtechnicalandvocationaleducationandtrainingtoFirstNationscommunitiesinnorthernManitoba.Withagrowingwaitlistofstudentshopingtoaccesstheirprograms,ATECisexpandingcurrenttrainingcapacityandcreatingmorepathwaysthatleadtoemploymentandin-demandcareersforIndigenousstudents.Thiswillbedonethroughtheconstructionofabrandnew20,000squarefoot"stateoftheart"trainingfacilityinNisichiwayasihkCreeNation(NCN).ThenewtrainingcentrewilltripletheintakeofLevel1carpentrystudentsfrom20to60,andwillallowATECtotrainyear-roundinanindoorqualitycontrolledfacility.Thenewfacilitywilltrainstudentstobuildmould-resistantandenergyefficientbungalows,tinyhomes,smallhousesandsolarhomes.PewapunConstructionLtd.isthefor-profitarmofATEC.

STATUS:APPROVED,INPROGRESS

AdditionalInformationonPewapunConstruction:

https://pewapun.com/

06:NekotéLimitedPartnership($190,400)

NekotéLimitedPartnership(Nekoté)bringstogethereightSwampyCreeHoldingsMemberFirstNationswithanon-rampforpossiblefuturepartneringwiththreeothers.Nekotéwasconceivedinmid-October2016inresponsetotheannouncedclosureoftheTolkopulpmillatThePas,Manitoba.TheFirstNationscametogethertoachieveatwo-partmission:1.Formapartnershipwiththenewownerofthepulpmill;focusingthepartnershiponforestmanagementactivitiesthatimpacttheancestrallandsoftheNekotéFirstNations.2.Followingtheformationofthispartnership,worktogetherwithsaidcompanytoestablishacommunityliaisonandco-managementboardapproach(modeledaftertheMistikmanagementmodelinMeadowLake,SK)forcontinuouscommunication.ThismissionwillworktowardsreconciliationoftherelationshipbetweentheforestindustryandFirstNationsinnorthernManitoba,increasethesecurityoffibersupplytothepulpmill,andcapturenewemploymentandbusinessopportunities.


07:ChurchillNorthernStudiesCentre-HydroponicGrowcerProject($276,350)

TheobjectiveofthisprojectistoestablishaGrowcerModularHydroponicGrowingSystemattheChurchillNorthernStudiesCentre.TheGrowcerisaself-containedmodularhydroponicsystemthatgrowsplantswithoutsoil,usingmineralnutrientsolutionsinawatersolvent.TheadvantagesofhydroponicsintheNortharesignificant,astheyuselimitedspaceandallowforahigherdensityoffoodcultivation.Theprojectwillcreatenewemploymentintheagriculturalindustry,createanewsourceofhealthygreens,andgenerateanewrevenuestreaminthecommunity.TheChurchillBaylineregionwillbeenhancedbythisprojectthroughincreasedfoodsecurity,newjobsandlearningopportunitiesinnorthernfoodproduction,andincreasedparticipationfromnorthernManitobaintheProvince’sagriculturalindustry.


AdditionalinformationontheChurchillGrowcerproject:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/churchill-hydroponic-produce-1.4568847

08:PaskwayakBusinessDevelopmentCorp.–SmartFarmProject($262,250)

OpaskwayakCreeNation(OCN)ownsthePaskwayakBusinessDevelopmentCorporationLtd.(PBDC),thecorporatearmofOCN.PBDC'smandateistoleadthedevelopmentofasoundeconomicbasetoachieveprogressandtheeconomicindependenceofOCN.Inkeepingwiththismandate,PBDCinitiatedtheSmartFarmPlantFactoryPilotProject(Hydroponics)inJanuary2016.Alongwithothercommunityorganizations,suchastheOpaskwayakHealthAuthority,theSmartFarmPilotProjecthasproventohavetremendousimpactsthroughoutthecommunityinareassuchaseducation,training,employment,healthandwell-beingaswellas

foodsecurity.Afternoticinginterestfromothercommunities,PBDCbegantoinvestigatethefeasibilityofbecomingadistributoroftheSmartFarmPlantFactorytechnology.Thistechnologyincludesbothindoorandoutdoor,aswellasmodularandnon-modularsystems.PBDCplanstocreateadistributioncentreforthistechnologylocatedinOCN,andwilltrainandemploylocalindividualsininstallation,operationandmanagement.PBDCwillthenmarketandshipthetechnologyacrossCanada.


11:SeaNorth-RemoteAreaServices($100,000)

SeaNorthToursisaregisteredcorporationoperatingoutofChurchill,Manitoba.RemoteAreaServices(RAS)fallsundertheumbrellaofthiscorporation.RASintendstodevelopawinterroutefromGillamtoChurchilltohaulfreightwithspecializedvehiclesoverland.ThisprojectwillhelptodeliverfreightatlowercoststoChurchillresidents.ThiswillhelpresidentsstayinChurchill,andhelpbusinessesstayopeninlightofrisingshippingcosts.Iftheraillinere-opensRAScanredirecttheirequipmenttoshipfreightfromChurchilltocommunitiesinWesternNunavut.RASispartneringontheprojectwithFoxLakeFirstNationandPolarIndustriesofWinnipeg.


AdditionalInformationontheIceRoad:

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/clearing-a-path-to-churchill-464688753.html

12:ManitobaChambersofCommerce-MadeinMBTradeMissions($149,250)

TheManitobaChambersofCommercewillworkinpartnershipwiththeProvinceofManitobaandwithlocalChamberstosetupEconomicDevelopmentToursandmeetingstohighlightpotentialeconomicdevelopmentopportunitiesinnorthernManitobacommunities.Byofferinginterestedbusinessownerswithatwo-dayprogramthatwillprovidethemwithintroductionsandabetterunderstandingofthosecommunities,thehopeisthattheywillbeenticedtogrowtheirbusinessesthroughtradeandpartnershipswithinManitoba.InitialcommunitiesthatwillbetargetedtohostTradeMissionswouldbeChurchill,Thompson/NelsonHouseCreeNationandThePas/OpaskwayakCreeNation.ThiswillresultinstrongpotentialforbusinessgrowthinNortherncommunitiesandemploymentopportunitiesforNorthernManitobaresidents.


13:AKIFoodsInc.-TheMeechimProject($105,000)

AKIFoodsInc.,isanon-profitsocialenterprisethatpromotesfoodsecurityandeconomicdevelopmentopportunitiesforIndigenouscommunities.Theirorganizationwasestablishedin

2015asasistersocialenterpriseofAKIEnergy,whichitselfisanaward-winningnon-profitsocialenterprisethatpartnerswithManitobaFirstNationstoreduceutilitybillsthroughsmart,cost-effectiveinvestmentsinrenewableenergydevelopment.TheMeechimProjectoriginatedfromacollaborativepartnershipformedbetweenAKIEnergyandGardenHillFirstNationin2014toaddressthecommunity’sneedforanaffordable,healthyfoodsystem.Therearefiveinitiativesintotalinvolvedinthisproject:TheMeechimHealthyFoodMarket,theAlexKenoMemorialFarm,School-to-Farm,FarmSchool,andtheHealthyFoodbox.Asthisprojectcontinuestogrowandexpand,AKIFoodshasrequestedfundingtohelpinstallelectricity,purchaseasmallsawmill,increasehealthyfoodmarketstoragethroughthepurchaseofafridgeandfreezer,aswellasattract,supportandretainworkers.


16:TownofChurchill–TrainingtoEmploymentProject($100,000)

ThecommunityofChurchillcontinuestoundergosignificantnegativesocialandeconomicchallengesrelatedtotheinoperableraillineandgeneraluncertaintyofthePortofChurchillandHudsonBayRailway.Asameansofensuringthecommunitytakesstepstomitigateagainstthenegativeoutcomes,theTownofChurchillwillidentifyemploymentopportunitiesintheimmediateandlongtermtocoordinatetrainingtoemploymentforunemployedandunderemployedindividuals.Thiswillensuretheviabilityofthecommunityandbusinessesaswellasensureaccesstoareadylabourforcewhenthecommunityisreadytoresumenormaloperations.TheTrainingtoEmploymentProjectinvolvesworkingwithcommunityclientsandinconjunctionwithothercommunityprogramstoensureanintegratedapproachtoclientsuccess.


23:FoxLakeCreeNationDevelopmentCorp.-IceRoadProject($180,000)

InJune2017,FoxLakeCreeNation,PolarIndustriesandRemoteAreaServices(RAS)beganplanningacattrainservice(usingtrackedvehiclespullingsleighs)tohaulmaterialsandsuppliesfromPR280(Gillam,Manitoba)toChurchill,Manitoba,anapproximate300-kilometretripeachway.Thisplanledtotwooftheparties(FoxLakeCNDCandPolarIndustries)agreeingtoformajointventure(JV)fortheproject;theJVwouldthenenterintocontractswithRASandotherthirdparties.

WhiletheoverallgoalistoprovideadesperatelyneededcargoservicetoChurchill,FoxLake'sgoalfortheprojectistoprioritizecreatingworkandemploymentforlocaltransportationcompanies,truckdrivers,heavyequipmentoperatorsandlabourers.Thetrainingprovidedtoindividualscontractedoremployedforthisprojectwillbeaninvestmentintheregion,itsemploymentstandardsandprovidetheseselectedindividualswithaskillsetthatcanbeutilizedasanadvantageinmanydifferentprojectsinthefuture.

Responsibilitiesbetweenthethreemajorpartieshavebeendividedasfollows:PolarIndustrieswilltransportmaterialsandsuppliestothejunctionofPR#280andRC60(theManitobaHydro’stransmissionlinecorridorandrightofwaytoChurchill),andthenatRC60,thematerialsandsupplieswillbecross-dockedtothecustomsleighsandhauledtoChurchillbyFoxLakeandRemoteAreaServices.FoxLakeCreeNationDevelopmentCorporation'sinvolvementinthisprojecthasassistedinthecreationofsustainablelocaleconomicgrowth,employmentandbusinessopportunitiesfortheChurchillregion.ThisprojectwillassistwithoperatingcostsincurredbyFoxLakeCreeNation'sDevelopmentCorporationrelatedtowages,rentedequipment,accommodations,fuel,andmaintenancetoboththeroadandvehicles.


24:ManitobaForestryAssociation&FrontiersSchoolDivision-YouthCareerExplorationattheManitobaEnvirothon($40,000)

TheManitobaEnvirothon,aprogramoftheManitobaForestryAssociation,isaland-basedlearningcompetitionforhighschoolstudents.Teamsof5studentslearnaboutWildlife,Aquatics,Soils,ForestryandClimateChange.Thisyear'sEnvirothonwillbehostedinChurchill,andisthefirsttimetheeventhasbeenrunintheNorth.Thegoalistobringyouthacrosstheprovincetoalocationtheymayneverotherwisevisit,toshowcasethevastnessofourprovinceintermsofecoregions,andtoexposeallyouthtolong-termnorthernopportunities.

CareeropportunitiesintheNorthareincrediblyvariedandstandoutasuniqueinmanyways.DuringtheEnvirothonevent,FrontiersSchoolDivisionwillhelptoshowcasenortherncareerexploration,particularlyintheChurchilltownandarea.Thisprojectwillensureyouthareexposedtonortherncareerinformationmultipletimesthroughoutthisevent.Studentswillhavebothformalandinformalopportunitiestoengagewithalargevarietyoflocalindividuals,entrepreneurs,andorganizations,allowingthemtogainamuchbetterperspectiveonwhatNorthernManitobahastooffer.


27:Gangler'sNorthSealRiver-CanoeTrailMapping($41,000)

Gangler'sNorthSealRiverLodgeiswell-establishedinthesportfishingandhuntingindustries.In2016,Gangler'sbegantoexpandintotheecoadventuretravelmarket.Thisledthemtoexploretheviabilityofofferinghigh-qualitycanoetripsthroughtheNorthSealRiver.In2017,TravelManitobashowedinterestinthepossibilityofsupportingthisventure.ThiswasfollowedbyaconnectiontoHapWilson,alegendaryfigureinCanadiancanoeingwhocommittedtoworkingwithGangler'stomapouttheproposedcanoeroutes.

Thisprojectwillcreatewell-plannedandextensivelymappedcanoeroutesontheNorthSealRiverandotherriversinthearea.ThesecanoerouteswillhelptoenhancethetourismqualityinNorthernManitobabyincreasingtheofferingsandultimatelycreatingastrongertourism

productwherenosuchproductexistedbefore.Short-termeconomicbenefitsalsoincludeseasonalemploymentforlocalresidents.

STATUS:APPROVED,INPROGRESS(EXTENDED)

28:MeritMotionPictures-MarchofthePolarBearsFilm($150,000)

MeritMotionPictures'(MMP)latestproject,"MarchofthePolarBears"(NationalGeographicPrimeTimeEvent-2x1Hour),documentsthesecretworldofpolarbearsontheseaice,followingthebearsthroughthe'winterandspring'seasons.MMPisplanningtodocumentsealhuntingbehaviour,motherandcubsinteractingandpolarbears'relationshipwithotherfaunaallthroughanorthernandInuitperspective.

Themainfocusofthisprojectispromotingnortherncultureandbear-viewingtourismthroughouttheregion.ThisisoneofthefirstNationalGeographicshowswherenorthernandInuitguideswillbefeaturedprominently,makingdecisionsontheseaiceandtrackingbears.ThegoalistouseChurchillasthefocalpointofbearviewingbutshowthatpolarbearsarefoundallthroughHudsonBayatdifferenttimesoftheyear.Duringtheirshoot,MMPwillemploybearsecuritypersonnel,seaiceguides,cameraassistants,campmanagersandadditionalsnowmobiledrivers.


29:FlinFlonAboriginalFriendshipCentre-RestaurantTrainingInitiative($105,610)

TheFlinFlonAboriginalFriendshipCentrehasbeeninexistencesinceMayof1966.LikeotherFriendshipCentres,theyarecommunitybasedanddirected,seekinitiativestosupportqualityoflife,self-determinedactivities,learnaboutandmaintainculturalidentity,aswellaspromoterespectandequalaccesstoparticipationinsociety.

Thisproject,theRestaurantTrainingCentreInitiative,willintegratethepracticalexperienceofUCN'sCulinaryArtsCertificateProgramintotheFriendshipCentre'scurrentrestaurantoperation.TheProgramisa10-monthcourse,30hoursperweek,andfoodpreparedbythestudentsintheProgramwillbeavailableforsaletothepublic.TheProgramwillbedeliveredattheFlinFlonAboriginalFriendshipCentreinadedicatedclassroomandusetheirexistingcommercialkitchenspace.Instructionalmethodswillincludeacombinationoftheoryandpracticalformatsappropriatetothesubjectmatter.StudentswillneedtomeetUCNAdmissionrequirements.

ThevisionoftheRestaurantTrainingCentreInitiativeistosupporteconomicparticipationanddevelopmentwhilesustainingtheFriendshipCentre'scorevaluesandachievingorganizationalprosperity.Realtimeintegrationdemonstratesskills,competencies,andexploresneweconomicdevelopmentandsocialenterpriseopportunitiesfortheFriendshipCentre.


30:SpiritWay&BorealDiscoveryCentre-WolfCentreofExcellence($164,060)

Acoupleofyearsago,SpiritWay(SW)offeredtorebuildtheThompsonZoo's(nowoperatingastheBorealDiscoveryCentre)wolfareaintoaWolfCentreofExcellence(WCE).TheWCEisexpectedtobeananchorattractionwithinthenewlytransformedBorealDiscoveryCentre(formerlyknownasThompsonZoo)thatwillbecomplementarytotheirotherexhibits,attractmorevisitorsandprovidenewsourcesofrevenue.In2015,apartnershipwassignedwiththeBorealDiscoveryCentre(BDC)andSWtobuildtheWolfViewingandStudyCentrebuilding,whichwouldbeturnedovertotheBDCwhencompleted.

AWCEattheBDCcouldbecomeauniqueeducational,cultural,researchandtourismattractionofitskindintheworld.Itwillprovidejobsandtradestrainingduringtheconstructionstage.Thefinalfacilitywillalsorequiretrainedanimalcare,interpretiveandprogrammingstaff,marketingandmanagementstaffandcandrawfromalocalandregionaljobmarket.Itwillcreateopportunitiesfortrappersandguidestopromoteandexpandtheirlivelihoods,aswellastoofferwolfstorytelling,wolfhowling,educationalandculturalprogrammingforvisitors.Thiswouldcreateanewwolfeconomyinthenorthbasedonthegrowinginterestworldwideinecotourism.

ThisprojectwillbeonepieceofBDC'smuchlargerMasterPlan,andthebeginningofSW'sWCEbuilding.Throughthisproject,existingstrategicplansandagreementswillbereviewed,revisedandfinalizedbySWandBDCduringthevisioningandbusinessplanningprocesses.Bothgroupswillalsotakepartinsocialenterprisedevelopmenttrainingtoexploreandassessrevenuegenerationopportunitiesthatsupportthesocial,culturaland/orenvironmentalimpactsoftheirwork.Further,theWCEwillbecomearealitythroughthedevelopmentofarchitecturalconceptdrawings.


AdditionalInformationontheWolfCentreofExcellence:

https://www.thompsoncitizen.net/news/thompson/spirit-way-unveils-fundraising-goal-for-wolf-centre-of-excellence-at-beerfest-1.23471932

31:St.Paul'sAnglicanChurch($30,000)

St.Paul'sAnglicanChurchhasbeenanintegralpartofthecommunitysinceitsinceptionandcontinuestobeanimportantreligiousandculturallandmark.WiththeexceptionofFortPrinceofWales,St.Paul’sAnglicanChurchistheoldeststructureinChurchill.Becauseofitsrichnorthernhistory,uniqueconstructionanditsnorthernculturalconnections,St.Paul’sAnglicanChurchwasrecognizedbytheProvinceofManitobaasastructureofhistoricalsignificance.ItwasdesignatedasaProvincialHeritageBuildingin1996.

ThemajorityoftravelerstoChurchillwantsomecultureandhistoryalongwiththeirpolarbearandbelugawhaleexperience.TheroleofSt.Paul’sAnglicanChurchinChurchill’searlyhistory,aswellasitsongoingrelevanceinthecommunity,isofgreatinteresttovisitorsandsomethingtouristoperatorscansharebeyondthewildlife.Thousandsoftouristsgothroughthechurcheveryyear,anditisanimportantpointofattractionforbothtourgroupsandindividuals.

Hudson’sBay’sharshclimatehasrequiredextensiveongoingmaintenancerepairstotheChurcheachyear.Overthepastfewyears,theParishofSt.Paul’shasdoneextensiveworkincludingbutnotlimitedto:updatedelectrical,newstormwindows,repairedandre-leadedthestainglasswindows,andthoroughinsulationupgradestoimprovethebuilding’senergyefficiency.Thisprojectwillhelpwiththere-sidingofthechurchbuilding,theChurch'slastmajorupgradetoensurethebuildingissafe,structurallystoundandpreservesitshistoricalintegrity.ThisfinalupgradewillensurethatSt.Paul’sAnglicanChurchremainsa‘mustsee’spotformanyyearstocome.


32:ChurchillCruises($62,000)

TheKothariGroupwillcommencepassengercruisevesseloperationsto/fromthePortofChurchillto/fromGreenlandstartinginSeptember2019.Thesecruiseswillfocusonprovidingthepassengerswithahigh-qualityexperienceonboardluxurypassengervesselstosomeofthemostpristineanduniqueareasintheCanadianArcticwaters,includingstopsinChurchill,NunavutandGreenland.Inaddition,thecruiseshipwillstopatMarineWildlifeProtectedAreas&MigratoryBirdSanctuaries,sopassengerscanexperiencenatureatitsfinestandgetatrulyunique,historicalandculturaleco-tourismexperiencethroughtheChurchillHudsonBayRegion.

ChurchillCruisesLtd.,aprojectbytheKothariGroup,willbuildontheChurchillexperiencepresentlyenjoyedbytouriststhroughenhancingtheeconomicactivityinandaroundthecommunityofChurchill.Localartistsmakingartwork,suchascarvings,paintingsandwallhangingswillseeanincreaseinthedemandfortheirproducts.Localartistsengagedintheperformingarts,suchasthroatsinging,drumdancing,etc.willalsoseeanincreaseindemandfortheirservices.Therewillalsobeincreaseddemandforgoodsandservicesrequiredbythecruiseship,aswellaspassengersonboardthevessel,suchasfoodanddrink,accommodations,transportationservices,tourexcursionsandotherrelatedservices.

STATUS:APPROVED,WITHDRAWNAFTERPARTIALCOMPLETION

33:NanukOperations-NightsUnderLights($55,479.03)

CalebRosscurrentlyownsandoperatesapolarbearandwildlifeguidingcompanycalled“NanukOperations”inChurchill,Manitoba.NanukOperationstakesphotographers,filmcrewsandothersmallgroupsoftouristsoutofTowninsearchofpolarbearsandotherwildlife.

Guestsoftenasktobetakenoutiftheauroramakeanappearance.Calebfeltasthoughmovingintonorthernlightsseasonseemedtobeanaturalprogressionfromwhathecurrentlyoffers.

NorthernlightsseasonhasbeengrowingyearoveryearinChurchillandtotakeadvantageofthatCalebhasdevisedanorthernlightsproduct,“NightsUnderLights”aimedmainlyatphotographygroups.

Onceestablished,thereareplentyofexpansionpossibilitiesforthisbusinesstogrowintootherseasonsandusesinChurchill.


01b:TownofChurchill-Mould&AsbestosTrainingPhaseII($280,908)

ThisprojectbuildsonthepreviousprojectfundedunderCREDinwhichtheTownofChurchillworkedtogetherwithUCNtoofferskillsdevelopmentinmouldandasbestosabatement,providingemploymentto11individualsandaddressingenvironmentalliabilitiesexistingintheformerDukeofMarlboroughSchool.

Thesecondphaseofthisprojectwilltrain10newindividualsandemployeethosethathavepreviouslytakentraining.ThemainprojectfortheseindividualswouldbetodecommissiontheNavyBase,amultistorybuildingthatiscompriseoftwobuildings.Theprojectwillprovideemploymentforupto15people.


41:ItsanitaqMuseum($14,273.77)

AsManitoba’s5tholdestmuseum,theItsanitaqMuseumhasbeenoperatinginChurchill,Manitobafor74years.Openyearround,themuseum’sclienteleincludes:localresidents,schoolkids,businessvisitors,northernvisitorsandtouristsfromallovertheworld.Itisanintegralpartofthelocaltourismindustryandamust-seeplacefororganizedtourgroups.IthasbeenlistedasatopattractionontheTripAdvisorwebsiteonnumerousoccasions.ThemuseumhasalsoplayedanimportantroleinpromotingInuitcultureandart,benefittingbothChurchillandcommunitiesfurtherNorth,includingtheKivalliqdistrictofNunavut.

Thisproject,whichwouldallowforanupdatetotheMuseum’shumiditycontrol,iscriticaltopreservingboththeMuseumanditscontents,allowingforthefuturesustainabilityoftheMuseumaccordingtoenvironmentalstandards.AcrosstheCanadianNorth,thereisastruggletokeep,maintainanddevelopmuseumswherepeopleoftheNorthcanseetheirownartifacts/artintheirland.ThecontinuedoperationoftheItsanitaqMuseumholdsobviousvalueforeducational,historicalandtourismpurposes.


42:TundraInnandRestaurant-KitchenExpansion($31,161.29)

TheTundraInnoperatesahotel,RestaurantandPubinChurchill,Manitoba.TheTundraInn’sRestaurantandPubareseasonal,typicallyopeningJuneuntillateNovember,andhavebeenoperatingforovertenyearsinthecommunity.Thehotelisopenyear-roundandhasbeenoperatingforover35years.UnfortunatelyarecentfireburneddownGypsy’sBakery,anotherrestaurantinChurchill,whereasignificantportionofmealsforTundraInn’sguestswereprepared.TheTundraInnkitchenistoosmalltoaccommodatetheadditionalvolumeofmeals,resultinginaneedtoexpandoperationsandbuildanadditionalkitchen.

TheTundraInnandRestauranthasasmalllogbuildingthatwillbeconvertedintoakitchen,allowingforincreasedcapacity,take-out,andcateringoptionsforthecommunityandtouroperators.Thekitchenwillbeopenduringpeakandoff-season,employingthreenewfull-timeemployees.ThishasastrongeconomicbenefittothetourismindustryandlocaleconomyofChurchill,Manitoba.


43:CommunityFuturesNorthCentralDevelopment-SnowmobileProjectPhaseI($27,000)

ThisprojectbuildsonTourismNorth'sgoals,throughpartnershipswithTravelManitoba,CommunityFuturesGreenstone,CommunityFuturesCedarLake,andotherkeypartners.TheNorthernManitobaTourismStrategy,developedbyTourismManitoba,identifies"TourismProductandExperienceDevelopment"as"highpriority".Specifically,itreferencesthefactthatenhancementstotourismhubcommunitiesandtoexistingtourismexperiences,andthecreationofnewmarket-readytourismexperiences,growstourisminNorthernManitoba.Thestakeholdersofthisprojectbelievethatintegraltoeconomicgrowthintheareaisfurtherdevelopmentofasnowmobileproduct.

Inordertodevelopthisproduct,CommunityFuturesNorthCentralDevelopmenthasproposedaone-daySummitfocusedonNorthernManitoba'sSnowmobileTourismStrategy.Thissummitwouldresultinthedevelopmentofastrategicplangoingforward,andachievethefollowinggoals:

i.Developmentofamissionstatementandvisionii.FacilitatedSWOTAnalysis/Discussioniii.Developmentofstrategicprioritiesandtimelinesbasedonpriorityareasiv.Aplanforbaselineformeasurementoftheeconomicimpactoversetamountofyears


44:ForbesForestFinds-Training&Expansion($90,000)

ForbesForestFinds(FFF)isabusinesslocatedinThePas,Manitoba.FFFhasbeendevelopingforfiveyearsandhasshowneconomicgrowthinalloftheyearssinceitsestablishment.Thecompanyhasexpandedfromasmallbusinesssellingproductsatlocalcraftshows,toawell-knowncompanysellingnon-timberforestproductstootherbusinessesinallcornersoftheworld.Asanon-timberforestproductcompany,FFFhonourstheskillsandabilitiesofthecommunitiestheyvisittobuyproductsfrom.Theypartnerwiththecommunitiestobuildontheirincomesecuritybypurchasingthousandsofdollarsworthofproductfromtrainedpickers.Theyareabletoemployindividualsfrommanyageclassesasthereareveryfewphysicalattributesrequiredtoproduceamarketableproduct.

ThisprojectwillcontinuetobuildonFFF'scurrentbusinessmodel,throughthedevelopmentofamoreformaltrainingprocessforpotentialharvestersinremotenortherncommunities(inpartnershipwithUniversityCollegeoftheNorth).FFFalsoplanstobuildanew,largerfacilitywhichwillincludeatrainingarea,processingplantandshippingdock.Withtheadditionofafacility,thecompanywillbelessimpactedbyvaryingweatherconditionsandwillbeabletoprocesslargervolumesofnon-timberforestproduct.


48:TownofChurchill-AirportRevitalizationStudy($25,000)

OwnershipchangesintheHudsonBayRainLine,thesubsequentraillinerepairsandthepriorityonreliablerailservicetoChurchillhaveonceagainpositionedChurchillasakeyNortherntransportationhub,andanintegralpartofCanada'sArcticPolicy.Inordertofurtherdevelopthishubstrategy,re-establishChurchillasanorthernresupplyhubandimproveoverallyear-roundusageofthecorridor,afeasibilityassessmentofopportunitiestoimproveutilizationoftheChurchillAirportisrequired.

AfeasibilitystudywillbedevelopedtoassessandcatalogueneweconomicopportunitiesinvolvingtheAirport,identifypreliminaryinfrastructurerequirementstosupportthoseopportunitiesandtounderstandtheemploymentandrevenuepotentialinvolvedindevelopingthissector.ThefeasibilitystudywillserveasafoundationalblockintheplantorestoretheChurchillCorridorsupplychain,andonceagainpositionChurchilltobecomeafocalpointofthenorthernsupplychain.MultipleindustrieswillbeimpactedbyasustainablegrowingChurchillAirportoperation,bothinChurchillandthroughoutManitoba.


49:KinosaoSipiBusinessDevelopmentCorp.-NorthernLightsGrowcer($169,940)

UnderKinosaoSipiBusinessDevelopmentCorporation(KSBDC),theeconomicdevelopmentarmofNorwayHouseCreeNation(NHCN),aprojecthasbeeninitiatedtoimproveaccesstofreshhigh-qualityvegetablesinNorwayHouseandthesurroundingregion.Thisproject,calledthe“NorthernLightsProject”,isbeingexecutedwiththehelpofFoodMattersManitobaand

theBDOCanadaLLP.Thesethreeorganizations(KSBDCbeinganextensionofNHCN)makeupthe“NorthernLightsTeam”.

FundinghasbeenobtainedbyFoodMattersManitobatopurchaseaGrowcerunit–hydroponicgrowingsystem–forNHCN.NHCNadministration,workingalongsidetheBDOCanadaLLP,havetakenontheroleofengagingandeducatingcommunitymembersandlocalstoresofthebenefitsandopportunitiesthatwillarisewiththeestablishmentofthisgrowingsysteminthecommunity.Currently,stores,andbyextensionpeople,intheNorwayHouseregionhaveseriouslogisticalchallengesingettingenoughandaffordablevegetablestomarket.Foodisshippedovergreatdistancesbytruck,railorairandmustbehandlednumeroustimes.Sometimesfoodbecomespartiallyfrozenorstuckduetoshippingbacklogsandcancellations.Theoveralloutcomeisthatfoodiswasted,expensive,andqualityislow.

TheGrowcerunitisastate-of-the-artfarmingsystemthatcombineshydroponictechnologywithprecisionclimatecontrolstoenablegrowingoffreshproducewitheaseyear-round.Thishaspreviouslybeentooexpensivetobefeasiblewithothertypesoflightsorgreenhouses.Onceestablished,thegrowingsystemwillbeginpayingforstafftomanagethesystem,provideadditionalownsourcerevenuetowardscommunityservicesandcontributetoexpansionoftheproject,leadingtoadditionalemploymentandopportunitiesforthepeopleoftheNorwayHouseRegion.


50:PaskwayakBusinessDevelopmentCorporation-OCNAerospace($91,319)

PaskwayakBusinessDevelopmentCorporation(PBDC),theeconomicdevelopmentarmofOpaskwayakCreeNation(OCN),hasbeenworkingcloselywithOCN’sWorkforceTrainingTeam,ManitobaAerospaceAssociation(MAA),BoeingCanada,andMagellanAerospacetoexplorethepotentialofamanufacturingfacilityintheregion.CurrentlyOCNanditssurroundingregion,includingtheTownofThePasandtheRMofKelsey,aresupportedbyonemainindustry,whichistheforestryindustry.Withadequateforestresourcesbecomingscarcerandfurtherawayfromtheprocessingfacilitywithinthelasttenyears,therehavebeennumerousthreatsofclosureofthepapermill,aswellasapermanentclosingofthesawmilloperation.

Theestablishmentofamanufacturingfacilityintheregionwillbecomethebaseforatransitionfromaone-industryregiontoamulti-industryregion.Thiswillprovidemoreeconomicstabilityfortheregionaswellasawiderscopeofhigh-payingemploymentopportunitiesforskilledlabourandprofessionalservices.Further,theincreasedeconomicactivitygeneratedbyamanufacturingfacilitywillcreatespin-offopportunitiesforsupportingservices(housing,foodservices,etc.).Thesespin-offopportunitiesareexpectedtoexpandasanincreaseinregionalwealthisrealized(tourism,variousserviceindustries,transportationopportunitiesastheregionexperiencesanexpansioninscopeandbreadthofitseconomicactivities,etc.).

PBDCrecentlycompletedPhaseIofthisproject,whichinvolvedafeasibilitystudywithfavourableresults.ThedevelopmentofabusinessplaninPhaseIIwillhelpOCN/PBDCtomakeadecisiononwhethertopursuePhaseIIIofthisproject.WhilethisinitiativeisOCN-drivenanddirected,theintentistoprovideregionalbenefitsthatwouldaccruetotheTownofThePasandtheRMofKelseythroughamarkedincreaseineconomicactivity.


51:WorldTradeCentreWinnipeg-NorthernPerspectivesProject($30,600)

ThebusinessandtraderelationshipbetweenManitobaandNunavuthasbeeninageneralstateofdeclineinrecentyears,innosmallpartduetotheuncertaintiesandchallengesrelatedtotheChurchillrailandport.Meanwhile,competitionhasnotablyincreasedinkeyareassuchasshippingandlogistics,cominglargelyfromEasternCanadianports.ThishasaffectedbusinessesinManitoba,andtheChurchillregioninparticular.

Despitethis,theregionaltiesandaffinitiesbetweenManitobaandNunavut,especiallywithKivalliq,remainstrong.WithsignificanteconomicandresourcedevelopmentunderwayinNunavut,therecontinuestobenewpotentialforbusinessandtraderelationships.Further,withanewownershipgroupinplacefortheraillineandport,andastrong,positivevisionforthefuture,thetimeisrightforManitobatobegintheprocessofrebuildingtheseimportanteconomictiesandre-establishChurchillastheGatewaytotheArctic.

ThisprojectisajointeffortbetweenWorldTradeCentreWinnipeg(WTCW),theManitobaChambersofCommerceandtheTownofChurchilltoworkwithorganizersofthe2019NorthernPerspectivesConference.SpearheadedbytheWTCW,thispartnership’smainfocusistopromotenewbusinessopportunitiesforManitoba,sharethevisionandpotentialofferedbyrenewedtransportationlinkstoNunavutviaChurchill,andtoorganizeabusinessdelegationwithparticipationofChurchillregionbusinessesinthistimelyconference.


54:CommunityFuturesGreenstone-SherridonFurTradePreservation($5,690)

TheTownofSherridonhaslessthan100residents,mostofwhomgrapplewithlimitedyear-roundeconomicopportunities.Mostresidentseithertraporfishforaliving,operateasoutfittersinthetourismsector,orworkasmunicipalcouncilmembers.Manyresidentsresorttoseasonaljobs;forexample,someworkatthefirefighterattackbasethatoperatesthereinthesummer,and/orwithothertourismbusinessesinthesurroundingarea(e.g.WingsofKississing).

TheTownofSherridonresidesintheCommunityFutures(CF)Greenstoneregion,meaningthattheCFofficesupportsSherridonentrepreneursandtourismbusinessowners,andwillevenattendtowncouncilmeetingsonoccasion.CFGreenstonehasmademanycontactsin

Sherridon,includingaConservationOfficeremployedbyManitobaSustainableDevelopment.Recently,theOfficerbecameawarethatseveralSherridontrappersareusingoldprohibitedtraps.HeisalsoawarethatthetrapperscannotaffordtopurchasethenewcertifiedtrapsapprovedbytheGovernmentofManitoba.Manyofthesetrappershavebeenpracticingsubsistencetrapping,i.e.traditionallanduse,forgenerations.Forthesereasons,theOfficerfeltconflicted–eitherheenforcesthelawbyseizingtheirtrapsandthereforedestroyingthetrappers’livelihoods,orheturnsablindeyetothelawandallowsthemtocontinueusinginhumanetraps.

Withthefinancialburdenofthenewtrapsweighingonhismind,Sherridon’slocalConservationOfficerreachedouttotheCFGreenstoneoffice,aswellastheMayorofSherridon,DennisHatch,forassistanceinthematter.ThisconcernhasresultedinapartnershipbetweenCommunityFuturesGreenstone,KississingDevelopmentCorporationandSherridonCommunityCouncil.Together,thepartnershavecreatedaprojectentitled“SherridonFurTradePreservation”,whichwouldallowforthepurchaseofnewtrapsandsupportto20traplineholders.


58:TownofChurchill-SocialEnterpriseTraining&Exploration($13,500)

AssessmentsundertakenaspartoftheTrainingtoEmployment(T2E)projecthaveidentifiedcommonbarrierstoemploymentinChurchill,andshownthatthoseneedinghelpwithpreparingfor,findingandobtainingemploymentexperiencemultiplebarriers.Lookingforsuccessfulandinnovativestrategiesforremovingthosebarriers,theT2EcoordinatorconnectedwithCommunityEconomicDevelopment(CED)expertsinWinnipeg.Inlearningabouttheclienteleoftheseexperts,itbecameclearthatspecificareasofWinnipegsharesimilarcharacteristicswithChurchillintermsofsocio-economicparametersofunemployment.

SocialenterprisesthroughoutManitobahavedevelopedsuccessfulapproachesthataddress,andgradually,removebarrierstounemploymentbyconsideringtheunderlyingfactorsofpoverty,highunemploymentandskillsgaps.ThegoalofthisprojectistobringtwoCEDexpertstoChurchillandexplorethepotentialforsimilarapproachesinChurchill.TheCEDexpertswouldmeetwithstakeholders,assessthestatusquoandassistinidentifyingentrepreneurialopportunitiesthatwouldimpactboththesocialandtheeconomicwell-beingofthecommunity.


59:TownofChurchill-DriverTrainingProject($11,500)

TheChurchillCommunityClass5DriverTrainingProject(Phase1)seekstotrainandcertifypeoplewholiveinChurchillasdrivinginstructors.Theprojectistheresultofconversationsanddiscussionswithemployers,businessesandthegeneralpublicinChurchill.Businesseshave

expressedtheirneedformoreemployeeswithdriver’slicences(anythingfromClass5toClass1)andthecommunityhasidentifiednothavingaccesstoinstructorsandclassesasabarriertoobtainingadriver’slicence.Nothavingadriver’slicenceisoneofthemainbarrierstoemployment.

Thereisstrongsupportfromthecommunity,fromthetownadministration,andfromlocalemployerstoaddressthischallenge.Phase2oftheChurchillCommunityClass5DriverTrainingProjectisbeingnegotiatedwithotherfundingsourcesandwillseeanintegrated,andsubsidized,highschoolandadultdrivertrainingprograminthecommunity.


60:Waaka'iiganInc.-Non-ProfitSawmill&HousingProject($3,302.01)

Waaka’iiganInc.isaFirstNationownedandoperatednot-for-profitcompanylocatedinGardenHillFirstNation.Waaka'iigan'smissionistoprovidequality,locallumberforhousingintheirFirstNation.Localwoodthatmeetsstructuralcoderequirementswillbebuiltunderanewcost-effectiveprocessoflogging,gradingandbuildingofhousesinremotecommunitieswithlocalpeople’sskilledtrades.Usinglocalresourcesforhousingwillresultinmoredurableandaffordablehousesthatareculturallyappropriate,providingbothjobsandqualityhouses.Thiscompanywillmakeimmenseprogressinsolvingtheirhousingcrisisthroughlocalsolutionstolocalneeds.Thisprojectalsohelpstoaddresstheyouthemploymentcrisisbyemployingandtraininglocallabourtobecomehighlyskilledtradespeople.

Akeycomponentofthisproject'ssuccessisthesizeableinvestmentinalabourforceof15-25workersthatstartedinOctober2018througha15-month,holisticcoursecalled"BorealHomeBuilders"thattrainsGardenHillworkers.BorealHomeBuilderscoverseverypartofahousing/loggingoperationtoequippeopletomanageandmaintainasawmillandrunahousingcorporationgoingtoendofDecember2019.Thetrainingincludesjobreadiness,forestrymanagement,logging,maintainingsmallmotors(chainsaws,forestry,sawmilling,carpentry,plumbingandhousebuildingin2018-2019).Althoughasmallsawmillhasbeenoperatinginthecommunityforyears,theadditionofabusinessplanandmodelforusinglumberandwoodinhousingisneededtogrowthisintoasustainablehousingcorporationabletomeettheneedsforemploymentandlong-termhousing.

STATUS:APPROVED,WITHDRAWNAFTERPARTIALCOMPLETION

61:Mitik299Corp.-Non-ProfitSawmill&HousingProject($226,275)

Mitik299Corp,workingcloselywithasimilarcompanyinGardenHill,isaFirstNationownedandoperatednot-for-profitcompanylocatedinWasagamackFirstNation.BothFirstNationsstrugglewithsimilarissueswhenitcomestohousingandunemployment,buteachareseparate,sovereignFirstNationswithslightlydifferentneedsandassetswithintheirowncommunities.

Mitik'smissionistoprovidequality,locallumberforhousingintheirFirstNation.Localwoodthatmeetsstructuralcoderequirementswillbebuiltunderanewcost-effectiveprocessoflogging,gradingandbuildingofhousesinremotecommunitieswithlocalpeople’sskilledtrades.Usinglocalresourcesforhousingwillresultinmoredurableandaffordablehousesthatareculturallyappropriate,providingbothjobsandqualityhouses.Thiscompanywillmakeimmenseprogressinsolvingtheirhousingcrisisthroughlocalsolutionstolocalneeds.Thisprojectalsohelpstoaddresstheyouthemploymentcrisisbyemployingandtraininglocallabourtobecomehighlyskilledtradespeople.

Akeycomponentofthisproject'ssuccessisthesizeableinvestmentinalabourforceof15-20workersthatstartedinOctober2018througha15-month,holisticcoursecalled"BorealHomeBuilders"thattrainsWasagamackworkers.BorealHomeBuilderscoverseverypartofahousing/loggingoperationtoequippeopletomanageandmaintainasawmillandrunahousingcorporationgoingtoendofDecember2019.Thetrainingincludesjobreadiness,forestrymanagement,logging,maintainingsmallmotors(chainsaws,forestry,sawmilling,carpentry,plumbingandhousebuildingin2018-2019).Althoughasmallsawmillhasbeenoperatinginthecommunityforyears,theadditionofabusinessplanandmodelforusinglumberandwoodinhousingisneededtogrowthisintoasustainablehousingcorporationabletomeettheneedsforemploymentandlong-termhousing.


62:ArcticTradingCompany-Trader'sTable($25,000)

TheArcticTradingCompany(ATC)hasbeenapproachedbyanumberoftourcompaniestopartneronaneweatingestablishment,whichwouldbeavailableforthe2019touristseason.ThelossofoneofChurchills'busiestrestaurants,Gypsy'sBakery,createdaneedforanotherrestaurantchoiceforbothlocalsandtourists.TheATChasanexistingrestaurantareaattachedtoitwhichhasnotbeenoperationalfor7years.Inordertoreopentherestaurant,itwouldrequireupgradestothekitchenanddiningarea,aswellassomere-branding.Thisprojectwillhelpsupporttherenovationandre-openingofATC'srestaurant,underthenameTrader'sTable.Trader'sTablewilloffernewemploymenttoatleastfourpeople,includingacook,twoserversandasecondkitchenhand.Therestaurantwillalsoofferportablemealsavailabletotouristsontheirexcursions.


63:WorldTradeCentreWinnipeg-KivalliqTradeShow($29,153.75)

Followingthe2019NorthernPerspectivesConference,theWorldTradeCentreWinnipeg(WTCWinnipeg)andtheCommunityEconomicDevelopmentFund(CEDF)haveidentifiedpotentialforfurthertradedevelopmentbetweennorthernManitoba(MB)andNunavut(NU).TheregionaltiesbetweenMBandNUremainstrong,whilerenewedtransportationlinkstoNU

throughChurchillhavepotentialtoprovideopportunitiesforagreatertraderelationshipbetweentheregions.

TheKivalliqTradeShowSocietywillbehostingthe10theditionoftheKivalliqTradeShow(KTS)inRankinInlet,NU,fromSeptember23rdtoSeptemeber25th,2019.TheKTSisthemajorannualbusinesseventforthisregionofNU,andoneofthebestopportunitiesforcompaniestoexplorenewbusiness,buildvaluablerelationshipsandlearnaboutthemarket.Attendingthe2019KTSwithaManitobandelegationisanexcellentandtimelyopportunitytoleveragethefactthatMBcompaniesarelookingtofollowupontheNorthernPerspectivesconferenceheldinWinnipeginFebruary2019.ThroughacoordinatedeffortbyWTCWinnipegandCEDF,companieswillhavetheopportunitytopromotetheirproductsandservicestotheNUbusinesscommunityatthisevent.Thiscoordinationwillincludeplanning,preparation,logisticalsupport,targetedintroductions,andpost-eventfollow-upconsultationsandconsulting.


64:UniversityofManitoba-InternationalGlaciologicalSocietySeaIceSymposium($39,200)

TheInternationalGlaciologicalSociety(IGS)co-hostsaseaicesymposiumevery5years.TheCentreforEarthObservationScience(CEOS),attheUniversityofManitoba,isexcitedtobehostingthefirsteverIGSseaiceconferenceinCanada.The2019eventisexpectedtobethelargestseaicesymposiumeverhostedbyIGSwithover350scientificexperts(frombothpoles),northerncommunitymembers,business,policymakersandcommunityleadersinattendance.The2019symposiumwillhighlighttheroleofscienceasadecisionmakingtoolinsocioeconomicpolicydevelopmentasitrelatestonortherncommunities.Thesymposiumwillencourageholisticdiscussionsamongstscientists,stakeholdersandpolicymakersregardingthemostrecentchanges,long-termtrendsandvariabilityinclimatechange,andhowbesttoengageandcommunicatewiththegeneralpublic.

InordertohighlightHudsonBayasagatewayforArcticresearchtheUniversityofManitoba,theChurchillNorthernStudiesCentre(CNSC)andtheTownofChurchillwillpartnertogethertosupporttheIGSSeaIceSymposium.ThroughthisproposalthepartnerswillpromoteandhighlightChurchill,ManitobaaswellastheuseoftheCNSCandthenewChurchillMarineObservatory(CMO)tohelpfacilitateArcticandmarineresearch,andtobringinternationalresearcherstoChurchillasanemergingcentreofArcticresearchexcellence.ItwillalsopromoteandshowcaseChurchillaftertheSeaIceSymposiumwitha4-dayexcursiontotheTownofChurchill.TheexcursionwillbringgloballeadersinArcticresearchfromworld-renownedinstitutionstothecommunityofChurchill(CNSCandCMO)whileimmersingtheparticipantsinthetown’sArctictourismandecotourismactivities.Thisprojectishelpingtosupporteventsduringtheconference,aswellastheexcursionthatfollows.


66:CommunityFuturesGreenstone-FDCEconomicTransitionPlan($30,000)

In2016,oneoftheprimaryemployersfortheFlinFlonregionalarea(Hudbay)announcedthepartialclosureoftheirbusinessandthepossiblelossof900jobsheldbylocalresidents.InDecember2018,theydeterminedthedefiniteclosureofthebusinessinthisregion,confirmingadeficitof900jobs.SincetheinceptionofthecommunitiesofFlinFlon,CreightonandDenareBeach,theregionaslargelytakenforgrantedthattheminingindustrywouldbeacontinuoussourceofemployment,taxrevenueandfinancialsupportforcommunityinitiatives.Therehasnotbeenasenseofurgencytodevelopcomprehensiveeconomicdevelopmenttactics.Theregionhasnowrealizeditisimperativetoshiftfocustodiversificationandotheropportunities,leadingtotheformationoftheFlinFlon,DenareBeachandCreighton(FDC)RegionalEconomicDevelopmentCommissionin2017.

TheobjectiveofthisprojectistodevelopfoundationstoimplementaRegionalEconomicDevelopmentAnalysisandtofocusonBusinessRetentionandExpansion(BRE)ofthebusinessesinthegeographicareaoftheCityofFlinFlon,theTownofCreightonandtheNorthernVillageofDenareBeach.Thefollowingoutcomesandactivitieswillbeincludedinthisproject:

Businessretentionandexpansion,economicimpactstudy,investmentreadinessassessments,economicdevelopmenttransitionstrategy,andaregionalmarketing&communicationsstrategy.


67:CommunityFuturesNorthCentral-RealNorthernExperiences($18,200)

RealNorthernExperience(RNE)isanonlineplatformthatenablesnorthernManitobanstousetheirtimeandknowledgetoshareauniquenorthernexperiencewithvisitorstotheregion.Itisanopportunitytogenerateanewsourceofincomewhileshowcasingtherichcultureandheritagenorthof53.ThepurposeofRNEistoprovidevisitorstonorthernManitobaculturalenrichment,educationandofcourse,agoodtimebymeansofproductdevelopment.Itallowscurrententrepreneursandbuddingentrepreneursanoutlettoprovidevisitorsa“realnorthernexperience”.

NorthernManitobanswillhavetheopportunitytocreateatourismexperiencethattheywillfacilitatebasedontheirpersonalschedulesandabilities.Forexample,anexperiencedpaddlercanadvertisetoleadacanoetrip,alocalartisancangivealessononhercraft,orafamilycanhostvisitorsforatraditionalmealandstory-tellingevening.ThesefacilitatorsareconsideredRealNorthernExperienceGuides.RNEGuidescomefromallwalksoflifebutonethingtheyhaveincommonistheirdesiretosharetheirknowledge,expertiseorculturewithvisitorstonorthernManitoba.

Becausethisisanewventureforthenorthandunlikeanyothertourismdevelopmentproject,CFNCDanditspartnersfeelthatacompletebusinesscaseandfeasibilitystudybeundertakentofullyunderstandwhatisrequiredforthisprojecttobesuccessfulandsustainable.Inaddition,theprojectdoneproperly,canputNorthernManitobainaleadershiproleforotherregionstofollow.Therefore,CFNCDanditspartnerswouldlikeCREDtoconsiderthisprojectintwophases.Phaseonewoulddeliverabusinesscaseandfeasibilitystudy,thusphasetwowouldputthebusinesscaseintoactionbasedonthestudy’srecommendations.


68:TamarackFoods-BakeryandDeliExpansion($25,000)

TamarackFoodswasoriginallyestablishedtoprovidealocallyowned,affordablealternativetotheNorthernStore.Theyemphasizequalityandhealthyfoodchoices.FollowingthelossofChurchill’sonlybakeryanddeli,TamarackFoodshasbeenconsideringanexpansiontofillthisgapinthecommunity.However,theircurrentstoredoesnothaveenoughpowerinthebuildingtoruntheequipmentneededtooperatebakeryanddeliequipment.ThisprojectwillhelpsolvethisconcernandassistwithTamarackFoods’currentbarrierstoexpansion.

Thisprojectfundingisconditionalonthecreationoftwoshort-termconstructionjobs,aswellasonenewfull-timepositionwithinTamarackFoods.Theyarealsopredictingfurtherjobcreationinthereasthebakerygrowsinpopularity.Localrestaurantswillhavetheopportunitytopurchasefreshbreadsanddessertsfromthebakery,whereascurrentlyallbreadsanddessertsusedbylocalrestaurantsareshippingfrozenfromWinnipeg.


72:ThompsonChamberofCommerce($10,119)

WinterandcoldweathertestinghasgrowninThompsontobecomeasubstantialindustrysectorforoverthelast30years.Atfirstitwaspromotedandmanagedbyindividualhotels,andlater,anadhoccommitteeincludingtheThompsonChamberofCommerce.In2003,theThompsonChamberundertookamajorfeasibilitystudy,thePearsonReport,thatoutlinedthepotentialforvariousmanufacturersthatneedtotesttheirequipmentforhotandcoldtemperatureperformance.Thisisessentialbeforemanufacturinganyvehicularequipment.

ThompsonUnlimited(TU),alocaldevelopmentcorporation,tookoverthemanagementofthisindustryfortwelveyearsuntilitceasedin2014.TUundertookstrongmarketingcampaignstoattracttestersinthevehicle,heavyequipment,aerospaceandsnowmobileindustries.TUstaffattendedtradeshowstopromotethecoldweatherinnorthernManitobaandtheamenitiesthatThompsonhadforthetestingcompanies.TUattracteddozensofcompaniestoThompsonandhundredsofengineersandtechnicianseverywinter.However,sinceTUceased5yearsago,noonehasbeenmarketingtoattractnewbusiness.

Withthecurrentexponentialgrowthrateofelectricvehicles(EV)aroundtheworld,ThompsoncanbringtestingandresearchbusinessbacktotheCity.TheclimateisThompson’sgreatestadvantage.TheintentistoattractEVtestingtoThompsonthiswinterandbecometheleadinthisexplosiveandverycompetitivenewsector.


73:ArcticGoldHoney($25,000)

StevenLarocque,ownerofArcticGoldHoney,hadbeeninvolvedinagricultureandbeekeepingthroughouttheProvinceofManitobaformanyyears.However,in2011hedecidedtointroducebeekeepingtotheThompsonRegiononanexperimentalbasis.Withthewarmingenvironment,hebelieveditpossibletoproducehoneyintheNorth.

Currentlyrunning20hivesjustoutsideofThompson,ArcticGoldHoney’shoneybeeshavedemonstratedtheirabilitytosurviveandconsistentlyproducedacceptablequalityandquantitiesofhoneyinThompson’sNorthernenvironment.ArcticGoldHoneybelievesthereispotentialforexpansioninmanyareasincludingincreasedhoneyproduction,value-addedproductsandtourism.

ArcticGoldHoneyhasidentifiedaphasedapproachtogrowthoverthenextthreetofiveyears,withlargergoalsidentifiedbeyond.Inthisinitialphase,theirprioritiesincludeformalizingandexpandingthebusinessoperation,increasinghoneyproduction,aswellasresearchingandtestingnewvalue-addedproducts.


74:NorthernAssociationofCommunityCouncils-MarketTrailProject($101,500)

TheNorthernAssociationofCommunityCouncils(NACC)believescommunityvitalitylieswithinsupportingtheirstrengthsandbuildingcommunitycapacity.NACCisproposingtodevelopandcoordinatea15-monthprojecttobuildanenterpriseeco-systemcalledtheMarketTrailProject(MTP).ThegoaloftheMTPistoprovideaclearpathwayforenterprisegrowthandprovideacatalystforidentifyinglocalindustryandcommunityneedswithtools,traininganduniquemarketingopportunitiesforhomegrown,communitymadeproducts.

ThemainobjectivesoftheMTPincludes:

• Providingtrainingandtoolsforentrepreneurialgrowthandsuccess• Buildacollaborativemarketingstrategy• Coordinateparticipationinaseriesofrotatingseasonalmarketsregionallyand

provincially• Developasustainableoperationalmodelbytheendofthe15-monthproject

ThecombineddirectandindirectopportunitiesthiswouldprovideNACCcommunitiesisthree-fold:financially,educationallyandsocially.Thisprojecthasthepotentialtocreatejobs,createbusinessesaswellashaveeconomicimpactandengageouryouthinbothlearningnewskillsandearningadditionalfunds.


75:ShamattawaFirstNation-SolarProject($85,000)

ShamattawaFirstNationiscurrentlydevelopingacommunitysolarleasingcompanythatwillfocusoncleanenergytechnologies,capacitybuilding,training,andnewbusinesscreation,alongwithpartnersSunspearMicrogridandUniversityCollegeoftheNorth.Thisprojecthasreceivedconditionalapprovalcontingentonotherfundingsourcesbeingconfirmed.

STATUS:APPROVED,WAITINGONCONFIRMATIONFROMOTHERFUNDINGSOURCES

76:WaNiSkaTanAllianceofHydroImpactedCommunities-ValueAddedFishProducts($70,000)

AsanAlliance,WaNiSkaTanhasbeendocumentingthemanyadverseimpactsofhydrodevelopmentinManitoba,whichareenvironmental,economic,cultural,andsocialinnature.ThisproposedprojectwillhelpfishersinGrandRapidsaswellothernorthernIndigenouscommunitiesexploreandevaluatetheeconomicpotentialofvalueaddedfishproducts,whichinturnwillreflectaproactiveresponsetoafisherywhoseproductivityisbeingadverselyaffectedbyManitobaHydroandthepollutionofLakeWinnipeg.

Acommonissueincommercialfishingistheissueofbycatch,whichresultsfromfishersretainingtheirhighervaluecommercialspecies,whiledisposingoflowervaluespecies,sincetheywouldotherwisecountagainstpreviouslyestablishedfisherquotas.Unfortunately,itisimpossibletotargetonespecieswithouttheinevitablecaptureofothers,theirjuveniles,orspeciesatrisk.Globaldiscardofbycatchisapersistentandlargelyundocumentedproblemthatthreatensthesustainabilityofmanyfisheries,aquaticbiomassandbiodiversity.This,inturn,leadstocollateraldestructionofecosystems,adeclineinfoodsecurityforthosewhorelyonfishastheirmainsourceofproteinaswellasathreattotheeconomicsecurityformanyfishers.

Thisisanexploratoryprojectthatwillincluderesearch,nutritionalanalysisofbycatchaswellasafeasibilitystudyandbusinessplan.Theeconomicbenefitsofthisprojectincludeaddedrevenueforinvolvedfishers,anopportunityforinterestedfisherstoshapefar-reachingandimpactfulmarketopportunitiesassociatedwithvalue-addedproducts,andthepotentialforrenewedoptimismregardingIndigenousfisheriesoverthecourseofthisproject.Unfortunately,suchopportunitiesandoptimismarecurrentlyrareforIndigenousfishersinnorthernManitoba.


77:FoxLakeConstruction-BusinessExpansionProject($86,820.75)

GiventheanticipatedconclusionoftheconstructionoftheKeeyaskGeneratingStation(KGS),andthelossofanestimated100jobsattheprojectforFoxLakemembers,FoxLakeCreeNationhasbeenactivelypursuingneweconomicdevelopmentopportunitiestoensurecontinuedandadditionalemploymentfortheircommunitymembers.ThroughouttheKeewatinohkConverterStationprojectandtheKGS,FoxLakehassuccessfullysecuredJointVentureandDirectNegotiatedContracts,growingitscomplementofconstructionequipment.FoxLakeplanstocontinuetoleveragetheexperienceandassetsthey’vegainedthroughtheseprojectsandincreasetheirparticipationintheregion’sconstructionsector.

ThisparticularprojectisspecifictoexpandingFoxLake'sConstructionbusinesstoincluderoadmaintenance.WhileFoxLakeiscontributinganumberoftheirownresourcestothisproject,includingequipment,wages,sheltersandsupplies,theyareseekingsomeadditionalfundingtoassistinthecostofspecializedequipmentrequiredforthejob.Thisprojectisexpectedtocreate3.5newjobsandkeepmoneyintheregionasopposedtohavinganout-of-regioncontractor.Itisalsopartoflargerandongoingplansbeyondlimited-termconstructionprojects,includingtheestablishmentofasecureconstructionyard.


78:CityofThompson-ThompsonRegionFireParamedicProgram($153,000)

Thompson2020isapartnershipbetweentheCityofThompson,Vale,theProvinceofManitobaandtheGovernmentofCanada,taskedwithmitigatingtheworkforceandeconomiceffectsoftheclosureoftheValeSmelterandRefineryinThompson.OneofthecomponentsofThompson2020istoimprovetheCity'sbusinessandeconomicdevelopmentthroughthedevelopmentofcriticalsectors.Throughtheimplementationofthis,aswellasotherpriorityareassuchasresidentretentionandworkforceutilization,itwasidentifiedthatthereisacleardemandforFire-ParamedicprofessionalsinThompsonandtheregion.InThompsonalone,Fire-medicturnoverisonaverage30%annually.

OneofthebarrierstoregionalrecruitmentisthelackoftrainingopportunitiesforFire-medicsinnorthernManitoba.WhileThompson2020startedtheprocessofidentifyingtrainingopportunitiesandimplementinganewFire-medicprogram,theCityofThomsonwillleadthisprojectalongsideanadvisorycommittee.Itisexpectedthatinitiatingthisnewprogramwillimprovethehealthandemergencysector,aswellasreducestaffturnoverinThompsonandsurroundingnortherncommunities.Currently,theonlypublicfire-paramedictrainingprogramavailableinManitobaisinBrandon,anditdoesnothavethecapacitytoenrollallqualifiedcandidatesannually,sothereisalsoanopportunitytoattractout-of-townstudentstothisprogram.

STATUS:APPROVED,WAITINGONFURTHERFUNDINGCONFIRMATIONS

79:WorldTradeCentreWinnipeg-KivalliqChamberofCommerceAGM($2,122.05)

Overthelastyear,theWorldTradeCentreWinnipeg(WTCWinnipeg)hasundertakenseveralinitiativesfocusedoncultivatingbusinessandtradelinksbetweenManitobaandNunavut,creatingnewopportunitiesfornorthernManitoba.Recently,theyreceivedaninvitationtoparticipateintheKivalliqChamberofCommerce(KCC)AnnualGeneralMeeting(AGM),whichwouldbeatimelyfollow-uptotheirtradeactivitiesin2019.

Thecurrentrequestforprojectfundsistosupporttravelandparticipationcostsassociatedtoattendingthe2020KCCAGMandmeetingwithstrategicpartnersintheKivalliqregiontocontinuebuildingtheserelationships.TheWTCWinnipegisalsointheprocessofdevelopinganewmulti-yeartradedevelopmentprojectthatwillspecificallyfocusontheManitoba-Nunavutbusinessrelationship.Anin-personvisitcoincidingwiththeKCCAGMwillbeusedasanopportunitytobridgewithpastprojects,obtainbuy-infrompartnersandpotentialfundingsourcesinNunavut,andensurethatplanedeconomicdevelopmentactivitiesareconsistentwiththeneedsofthebusinesscommunitiesinbothManitobaandNunavut.


80:CommunityFuturesNorthCentralDevelopment-SnowmobileProjectPhaseII($69,495)

ThesnowmobiletourismindustryhasgreatpotentialfordevelopmentinnorthernManitoba.Thefirstandnecessarysteptowardsdevelopingthispotentiallylucrativeindustrywastofacilitateaplanforaction.WithinitialassistancefromCRED(SnowmobileProjectPhaseI)andseveralotherpartners,aSnowmobileTourismSummitwasheldinSnowLake,followedbyaseriesofconsultationsinothercommunities.Sincethen,fourTaskForceCommitteeshavebeenstruck.CFNCDandtheirpartnersarenowequippedwithasolidplantomoveforwardwithdevelopingandbrandingnorthernManitobaintoapremiersnowmobiledestination.

ThestrategicprioritiesofPhaseIIinclude:1)Enhancetrailinfrastructurethroughmaintenanceanddevelopment,2)Providestakeholdersresourcesforgovernanceandstructuretofacilitateandleadtheproject,3)Expandsnowmobiletourismattractionsalongmajorroutesandincommunities,4)Expandsnowmobilespecialeventsincommunities,4)Ensurehighqualityservicesareavailabletovisitorsand,5)Determineaplanforstrategicmarketingandpromotion

CREDfundingisprovidedtoassistintheNorthernManitobaSnowmobileTourismProject(PhaseII)beingabletoachieveallthestrategicgoals.Thisfunding,alongwithadditionalfundsfromWesternDiversification'sCanadianExperiencesProgram,willhelpprovidethenecessaryresourcestofulfilltheaforementionedstrategicpriorities.


81:MaMowWeTakFriendshipCentre-KitchenExpansionProject($51,350)

Sinceopeningtheirnewfacilityin2012,thedemandforMa-Mow-We-TakFriendshipCentre’srentalfacilitiesandcateringserviceshavegrownsubstantially.Wheretheserviceswerepreviouslyutilizedprimarilybylocalorganizationsandagencies,thedemandhasnowexpandedtoincludepeoplefromthroughouttheprovincecomingintotheCityofThompsontohostmeetings,conferences,orevents.

Unfortunately,theHostelKitchenisextremelysmallandoutdatedasitwasoriginallyusedonlyforclientmealsandverysmallcateringorders.Asthedemandgrows,sodothenumberofrequestsforawidervarietyoffoods.Inordertomeetthedemand,andcontinuetogrowtheircateringbusiness,Ma-Mow-We-TakFriendshipCentreplanstoexpandtheirHostelKitchen.Indoingso,theywillbeabletomeetthefollowingobjectives:

• Providecateringservicestolocalgroups,organizations,agenciesandbusinesses.• ProvideemploymentforcitizensoftheCityofThompsonthroughdirectemploymentat

Ma-Mow-We-TakFriendshipCentreHostel’skitchen,andthehiringoflocalcontractorsandtrades.Itisexpectedthat2PartTimeand2FullTimejobswillbecreatedthroughthisexpansion.

• GeneraterevenuethatassistsinsupportingtheMa-Mow-We-TakFriendshipCentre,sotheyareabletocontinueofferingaffordableprogramsandservicesintheCityofThompson,whichcontributetothecommitmentofcreatingahealthycommunity.


82:MahihkanBusLines-ShuttleBusExpansionProject($92,424)

Since2018,MahihkanBusLineshasexpandedsignificantlythroughbothnewroutesandnewservices.Mostrecently,theyhaveventuredintoprovidingshuttleservicesinadditiontoalreadyofferedbusserviceforline-haulaswellaschartergroups.Withouttheseservices,residentsofNorthernManitobaareleftwithlimitedoptionsfortravel.

OfferingtheshuttleservicessetsMahihkanBusLinesapartfromtheotherbuscompanies.MahihkanBusLinesisofferingthenewshuttleservicesasanexpresstransportationandfreightshippingserviceforNorthernManitoba.TheyhavealsorecentlystartedashuttleservicefromThompsontoWinnipegandreturninsteadofrunningthelargemotorcoachbuses.Theyhavereceivedpositivefeedbackonthischangeastheirpassengersfindtherideisquicker,smootherandwarmer.Further,thepassengersreceiveamoreintimatelevelofcustomerservicewiththesmallershuttles.Finally,offeringshuttleservicesisamorecost-effectivewaytoprovidetransportationtoNorthernMBresidents,resultinginincreasedaffordabilityaswell.

MahihkanBusLines’continuedexpansionoftheirshuttleservicewillhelptofilltheneedforinter-citytravelthatisrequiredfornorthernstudents,patients,andelderlypeople;freightforrequiredservicessuchasmedical,government,andbusiness;andinner-towntransportationfortourismgroups,hockeyteamsandlocalemployers.Thepriorityofthisprojectistocreateatleastthreenewshuttleroutes,andsubsequently,threenewjobs.MotorcoachbuseswillcontinuetobeusedforThePastoWinnipeglinehaulandforcharterwork.


83:NekotéLimitedPartnership-BusinessPhaseIII($89,062)

ThisprojectbuildsoffofNekoté'spreviousphases,furtherallowingtheorganizationtodevelopandrealizetheiroperationalgoals.WhileNekotéhasaprimaryfocusontheforestryindustry,thebreadthoffocusforNekotéismuchlargerandincludesallresourcesandeconomicopportunitiesavailableontheterritoriallandsoftheirmemberFirstNations.AsignificantpriorityofthisnextphaseintheNekoté'slifecycleistofocusonidentifyingandactingoneconomicdevelopmentopportunities.Fundingduringforthisprojectwillassisttheorganizationintheireffortstoexploretheseopportunitiesandbecomemoreself-sustaining.

STATUS:APPROVED,INITIALSTAGES

84:UCNWorkforceDevelopmentCentre-Class1TrainingProject($33,860)

TheintentionofthisprojectistopartnerwithFirstClassTrainingCentreInctoprovideafullyearofclass1traininginThompson,therebyprovingthatthereisamarketforon-going(multi-year)drivertraining,permanentlyhousedthroughtheUniversityCollegeoftheNorth(UCN).AsthedemandforClass1driverscontinuestoincrease,thisprojectwillgrowtomeettheneedbytrainingnorthernersinthenorthfornorthernjobs.Thisisconsideredadirecttoemploymenttrainingprogram,withmanyadditionalspin-offbenefitsforthelocaleconomy.

STATUS:APPROVED,WAITINGONFURTHERINFORMATION

churchill region economic development fund · 2020-05-18 · churchill region economic development...

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