Article appeared in the Sept 22, 2011 issue of the Interlake Spectator…
Pat McCallum
The Arborg-Bifrost community will soon get a little relief from the impact of excess moisture on its local economy. With almost 50 per cent of insured acres already confirmed as unseeded in early July due to wet conditions, local business have felt a big pinch on their bottom line this year.
Earlier this week, the Arborg-Bifrost Community Development Corporation (ABCDC) announced its success at securing funding through a Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiative(MAFRI) program. They were approved $99,625 in grant money, 75 per cent of which will be available immediately. They will add another $24,000 to that with local contributions and sponsorships.
A joint application was made by ABCDC and the Arborg & District Chamber of Commerce, who had approximately one week to come up with a viable plan.
“We had several meetings to determine our priorities to meet the objectives of the grant program. We agreed that promoting the area and raising the visibility of businesses and the area itself would be the best,” said Pat McCallum, Economic Development Officer for ABCDC.
“ We were very fortunate. We’ve done fairly recent strategic planning. We felt that some of our goals would match the criteria of the program.”
The purpose of the government funding is to provide immediate economic stimulus to rural areas adversely affected by excess moisture. Funding is to support projects that restore economic activity to levels existing prior to the excess moisture or that promote, strengthen or diversify economic activity in the affected area.
“Part of the goal of this program is to have the money spent in the local area,” McCallum said.
The funding will be used for several projects, including a highway signage program, billboards and Winnipeg Transit bus signs that will promote the community; Support for the Chamber of Commerce sponsored Parade of Lights; Moonlight Madness programs in December to promote local businesses; Celebration of Arborg Collegiate’s 50th Anniversary, and many homecoming activities; Partnering with the Arborg Fair & Rodeo, the Arborg Multicultural Heritage Village, the Credit Union Aquatic Centre and other local attractions and events to raise their visibility and bring more people to Arborg; and assisting with other special activities in the coming year.
“I understand the need to move quickly and the desire to have this economic stimulus as soon as possible…It was challenging (to meet the deadline), but obviously possible because we did it. Because we have a paid staff person, we were able to respond. It would have been harder for volunteers to take the time,” said McCallum.
She was happy that most of the funding would be made available up front.
“That’s an excellent way of managing it,” she said.
