St. Norbert residents will soon see a community makeover that will include bilingual signage, street and park benches, and banners, with support from the Canada-Manitoba Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF). The street-scaping will promote the economic, social, cultural and many historical interests throughout the community and capitalize on St. Norbert's location as the gateway to the City of Winnipeg and its richness in French and Métis heritage.
The $105,000 investment, consisting of equal federal-provincial-municipal contributions, was announced today by Rod Bruinooge, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification; and Marilyn Brick, MLA for St. Norbert, on behalf of the Honourable Ron Lemieux, Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation.
"Today's announcement builds on previous investments to establish a long-term tourism and economic development strategy along the Red River corridor," said MP Bruinooge. "The planned upgrades will help stimulate local economic activity and attract residents and visitors to historic St. Norbert."
"The St. Norbert area has had much success in staging successful events such as the vibrant Farmers' Market and this new project builds upon these accomplishments and will further promote this beautiful part of the province," said MLA Marilyn Brick. "We are pleased to support these ideas which will highlight the area's long traditions in the Red River valley."
Enterprise Riel, a non-profit economic development agency for St. Boniface, St. Norbert and St. Vital, is working in partnership with the community, and will oversee the administration and implementation of the project. Proposed improvements to the area include, street banners, various plantings, street and park benches, and unique bilingual route signage to local attractions. About 90 per cent of all traffic coming into Manitoba from the south use Highway 75 (Pembina Highway) and pass through the community of St. Norbert.
"St. Norbert has an incredible history and strong French and Métis cultures and heritage that we need to celebrate," said Norm Gousseau, Chief Executive Officer of Entreprises Riel. This project intends to capitalize on this and the multitude of attractions by encouraging tourists and commuters to take notice of the gem that is St. Norbert. This community has a wealth of assets to share, such as the Marcher St. Norbert Farmers Market, the St. Norbert Arts Centre, the historic Chapelle de Notre Dame-du-Bon-Secours and the famed Floodway gates.
Through MRIF, federal, provincial and local partners are providing matching contributions for a total investment of $145 million to help communities meet their pressing infrastructure needs. Of the funds, 80 per cent are earmarked for communities with a population under 250,000, including 198 municipalities and 50 unincorporated Northern Community Councils in rural and northern Manitoba. The remaining 20 per cent of funds are awarded to communities with populations with more than 250,000.
More information on Canada and Manitoba infrastructure projects are available at: www.infrastructure.gc.ca and www.infrastructure.mb.ca.
For more information, contact:
Marcus Miller, Communications Coordinator
Canada-Manitoba Infrastructure Secretariat
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 945-8778
Toll-Free: 1-800-268-4883
www.infrastructure.mb.ca
Lee Gregg, A/Senior Communications Officer
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 983-0701
John Thorpe, Communications Coordinator
Government of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 945-4997
www.gov.mb.ca
