MMDF: FOSTERING COMMUNITY RESILIENCE IN NORTHERN MANITOBA The Manitoba Mineral Development Fund (MMDF) recently celebrated its one-year anniversary since launching in July 2020. In just over a year, the provincial fund administered by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce has approved over $3.5M in funding for mining and economic development projects across Northern Manitoba. “This year our focus for MMDF is not only on funding strategic economic development projects in Northern Manitoba, but also on supporting the longer-term goal of creating an environment where sustainable economic development projects can thrive,” says Chuck Davidson, MMDF Board Chair and President of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. “Achieving this involves a commitment to ongoing collaboration with northern communities, industry and government.” As the successor of the Manitoba Government’s Mining Community Reserve Fund, MMDF prioritizes economic development projects in areas of the province that may be experiencing challenges related to recent or upcoming closures of key employers in the mining industry. Many communities in Northern Manitoba tell a story of resilience when confronted with such challenges. Jessica Ferris, Program Manager of the fund, notes that with the challenges many northern communities face, they each have their own unique opportunities. “Economic development in the North is complex. It is not just enabling communities to diversify their regional economies
and supporting industries that have played a role in sustaining communities in Northern Manitoba for many years. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to economic development in Northern Manitoba. Each community or region has their own distinct context, development goals and priorities for the future. We are here to provide support and build capacity so that communities can realize their goals.” To further support communities and industry in advancing
their projects, MMDF is launching several initiatives aimed at making things easier and streamlined and providing additional support to applicants.
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