MBiz | December 2020

MANITOBA MINERAL DEVELOPMENT FUND

MMDF: MOBILIZING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NORTHERN MANITOBA I n October 2019, the Government of Manitoba announced $20 million in funding to jump-start mineral and economic development initiatives in the North and throughout the province of Manitoba. Administered by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce (MCC), the Manitoba Mineral Development Fund (MMDF) provides $2M annually to communities and businesses, including Indigenous groups, municipalities, and the not-for-profit sector for strategic economic development projects in northern Manitoba. Under the guidelines, funding can also be provided to projects outside of northern Manitoba that support the mineral development industry.

Since its official launch in July 2020, MMDF has approved more than $1M towards projects that focus on growing and diversifying the provincial economy together with Indigenous communities. Behind the scenes, MMDF’s Application Review Committee and Board of Directors are busy reviewing projects to ensure the Fund has lasting impact. “Over the past six months, our committee members have demonstrated their knowledge and commitment to ensuring the projects we invest in have the potential to benefit communities in the North and strengthen key relationships and partnerships,” says Flin Flon Mayor Cal Huntley, Chair of the MMDF Application Review Committee. “We look forward to reviewing additional new projects in the coming months and we’re excited to see the positive impacts of approved projects as they move forward.” Jessica Ferris, Program Manager for MMDF, says that just as COVID-19 has presented several challenges for communities and businesses across rural and northern Manitoba, it has also affected project proponents working with MMDF. Ferris stresses that being understanding, flexible, and supportive to communities and organizations working on projects is fundamental to the success of MMDF. “In spite of COVID-19’s economic impact, through this fund we have been able to make new and significant financial investments in the North and we look forward to receiving and reviewing proposals through our ongoing application intake process,” says Chuck Davidson, President & CEO of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. The MMDF team is looking forward to funding additional projects in 2021 that will build Manitoba’s northern economy and create lasting relationships between communities and industry.

WINTER 2020