The City of Dauphin is weighing its options under a new provincial government program supporting critical infrastructure.
The Manitoba Growth, Renewal and Opportunities for Municipalities (Manitoba GRO) program kicks off with an investment of $42 million for projects which focus on community renewal, disaster mitigation, climate resiliency and recreation.
Municipalities outside of Winnipeg can apply for grant funding for up to 50 per cent of total eligible costs for capital projects under the following investment categories:
- public safety, which includes disaster prevention, flood mitigation and climate adaptation (such as drainage and flood water control), and fire stations and related capital items (such as trucks to enhance public safety);
- roads, bridges and active transportation (such as multi-use trails, airports and renewed road infrastructure);
- recreational infrastructure; and
- solid waste management and organic diversion (including garbage collection sites or recycling infrastructure).
“We are evaluating all the projects that we could apply for and then we’ll apply for two because it appears that we can only apply for two,” city manager Sharla Griffiths said, adding there is one project in the pipeline the City is seriously considering.
“There’s a new fire truck in the budget for 2025. That fire apparatus is one of the big ticket items, just about $900,000. So if we can get a portion of that paid, that would be awesome. But we still have to evaluate all the other things that we want to consider.”
With a Nov. 15 application deadline, there is still time for the City to consider its options.
The City was awaiting word on its application to the From the Ground Up - Safe Healthy Communities For All program, formerly known as Building Sustainable Communities to make a final decision on which of its projects to promote. The province just announced the recipients of that program on Friday.
That aside, Griffiths is excited about the potential of the new program
“We are excited about this because of all of the categories that are possible,” she said, adding she is hopeful the program is not just a one-time funding opportunity and will continue in future years.
“With the new government we’re uncertain. We’re unsure if this is something that we can count on in the future, so we will try to get as much as we can.”
In announcing the program. Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Ian Bushie said the program is about making sure municipalities have the resources they need after years of being shortchanged by the previous government.
“We committed to resetting the relationship with our municipal partners and we are pleased to support strategic infrastructure projects that will support municipalities in their efforts to protect their towns and cities from potential disaster and build strategic infrastructure projects that promote growth and sustainability,” Bushie said.
The province’s commitment to co-invest in strategic infrastructure projects is an approach welcomed by the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM).
“We also appreciate this renewed collaboration with the province and look forward to being actively involved in reviewing and providing feedback on applications, ensuring projects align with the interests and growth ambitions of municipalities across Manitoba,” said AMM president Kam Blight.
Funding for this program is sourced from the $73.8-million rural strategic infrastructure basket delivered under the Strategic Municipal Investment Fund.
