Hometown Manitoba 2018-2019

DESCRIPTION

Hometown Manitoba 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:

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

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

Hometown Manitoba includes three program components:

Hometown Meeting Places supports 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 supports projects that focus on upgrading the appearance of building exteriors, structures and green spaces in main street areas. Projects may include building facelifts/upgrading, new signage and landscaping enhancements. Individual projects should be part of an overall community enhancement initiative and be located in a public space.

Hometown Tree Planting supports community tree planting initiatives within community spaces such as parks, golf courses or entrances to communities. Trees must be purchased from a Manitoba based nursery.

WHO QUALIFIES 

All projects outside of the City of Winnipeg are eligible.

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. Municipal Relations 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.

If your project is approved, expenses incurred for the project after April 26, 2018 will be eligible for reimbursement subject to the normal terms and conditions.

WHO TO CONTACT: 

Paige McDougall,

Program Administrator,

E-mail: Paige.McDougall@gov.mb.ca 

Telephone:  204-523-2194