Winnipeg, Manitoba, Tuesday, March 19, 2013 – The Neechi Commons Community Business Complex in Winnipeg officially opened today during an all-day celebration.
This 50,000 square foot property in Winnipeg's North end was transformed into a complex that includes a neighbourhood supermarket, a cafeteria-style restaurant, a farmers' market that features local fruit and vegetables, a bakery, specialty boutiques, and an Aboriginal arts centre. It will also provide local employment and training opportunities in the community. In addition, the complex will be a catalyst for revitalization of the local and commercial area.
"Our Government is proud to invest in this important project that will create jobs and revitalize our local economy here in Winnipeg,"
said the Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport) and Member of Parliament for Charleswood – St. James – Assiniboia. "This complex is strengthening our community and together we are building a healthier and more sustainable future for Winnipeg and for Manitoba."
"It's encouraging to see locally-driven projects like Neechi Food Co-op become a reality,"
said Minister of Children and Youth Opportunities Kevin Chief. "This is a wonderful example of the great things that can be accomplished through collaborative partnerships between government and local communities. The province will continue to provide funding support for exciting economic ventures like this."
This community business complex will have a strong local development impact on Winnipeg's Main Street and nearby neighbourhoods. It will promote regionally harvested and processed foods and cultivate strong cooperative relationships and community spirit.
"The infrastructure funding from the federal and provincial governments played a key role in the creation of Neechi Commons and helped to make years of work by members of the cooperative and other volunteers worthwhile,"
noted the President of Neechi Foods Co-Op Ltd., Louise Champagne.
The governments of Canada and Manitoba each committed $1.3 million in funding under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund toward the eligible costs of this project. The province of Manitoba provided an additional $1 million, while the Neechi Commons Group provided the remainder of the funding. The total eligible costs for the project were $3.955 million and total construction costs were $6.8 million.
As part of the Government of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund supported more than 4,000 infrastructure projects across the country. Together, the federal government and Province of Manitoba committed close to $280 million for 110 projects under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund across Manitoba.
For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure and to stay up-to-date with Web feeds, visit Infrastructure Canada.
To find out what the Government of Canada is doing to promote jobs, growth and prosperity, visit Canada's Economic Action Plan.
Brayden Akers
Office of the Minister of State (Transport)
613-991-0700
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Elizabeth Soto
Cabinet Communications
Province of Manitoba
204-945-1494
Russ Rothney
General Manager
Neechi Foods Co-Op Ltd
204-949-1338 ext. 109
