Backgrounder: Minister Vandal opens new PrairiesCan service location and announces federal investments in Manitoba’s Westman region

The Government of Canada is providing over $3.6 million to five projects in the Westman region of Manitoba. These investments will help support digital industries, expand manufacturing, and revitalize vital community spaces in Southwestern Manitoba.

PrairiesCan is investing $2,200,000 through the Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) program for one project. Through the Business Scale Up and Productivity (BSP) program, $1,000,000 was invested to support one project. And $406,049 through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) to support three (3) recreation and community revitalization projects. The combined $3,606,049 investment in southwestern Manitoba’s economy will encourage the growth of businesses and help communities welcome visitors and residents for new and upgraded experiences.

Regional Innovation Ecosystems Program

Through RIE, the Government of Canada is making targeted investments in not-for-profit organizations that support businesses in priority sectors to innovate, grow and compete globally. We also foster inclusive growth by helping under-represented groups more fully participate in the innovation economy. Today, one RIE organization funded through PrairiesCan is being announced:

• Assiniboine Community College ($2,200,000)
  Establish a Centre for Creative Media in Brandon to support digital industries in rural Manitoba. 

Business Scale-Up and Productivity Program

Through the BSP Program, the Government of Canada is supporting high-growth businesses that are seeking to improve productivity, scale-up and commercialize technology. It offers interest-free, repayable funding to incorporated businesses. The BSP program supports incorporated high-growth businesses that have been operating in the Prairie Provinces for a minimum of 2 years. One Manitoba BSP recipient of PrairiesCan funding was announced today:

• Power HV Inc. ($1,000,000)
  Increase high voltage bushing and bushing sensor production by introducing new equipment and hiring staff to augment the capacity of its existing manufacturing process.

Canada Community Revitalization Fund

As part of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, the CCRF helps communities across Canada build and improve community infrastructure projects so they can rebound from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. With a national investment of $500 million over 2 years, the Fund’s purpose is to help not-for-profit organizations, municipalities, and other community groups, as well as Indigenous communities build new community infrastructure and revitalize existing assets, bring people back to public spaces safely as health measures ease, create jobs, and stimulate local economies. Today, three (3) Manitoba recipients of CCRF funding through PrairiesCan were announced:

• Municipality of Oakland – Wawanesa ($75,429)
  Enhance green space and revitalize Riverbend Park in Wawanesa.
• Municipality of Deloraine – Winchester ($178,875)
  Revitalize the downtown core of Deloraine.
• Fern Valley Recreation Commission / Municipality of Grasslands ($151,745)
  Upgrade campground facilities at Whitewater Recreation Park in Elgin.

Related products

• News Release: Minister Vandal opens new PrairiesCan service location and announces federal investments in Manitoba’s Westman region

Associated links

• Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)
• Regional Innovation Ecosystems Program
• Business Scale-Up and Productivity Program
• Canada Community Revitalization Fund