Some exciting times for the Gordie Howe International Bridge project.
On Thursday, community groups in and around Sandwich Town had a chance to discuss the Community Organization Investment.
The $100,000 investment is part of the Community Benefits Plan.
Director of Stakeholder Relations Stephanie Campeau says the funding will be provided each year for the next five years.
She says the Sandwich community will receive $50,000 a year while the Delray community will also get $50,000.
Campeau says it’s a chance for organizations to get involved with the project.
“We’re offering $50,000 in charities or non profit agencies that are located in or are serving the areas of Sandwich and west Windsor,” says Campeau.
She says it’s the first year the funding has been made available.
“Fundings available for things like events so special events and they can be very small in nature or very large in nature,” says Campeau. “We’re looking at programming assistance for various services in the area and also small infrastructure improvements to facilities.”
Campeau says there is a buzz for the Community Organization Investment.
“This is the first year that we’ve offered it and we really weren’t sure what to expect,” says Campeau. “We had a lot of interest doing the consultation phases, looking for possibilities of funding assistance so the reason this fund exist is because of those requests and we’re really excited to see what we can help deliver to the areas of Sandwich and Delray.”
A similar meeting was held in Detroit on Wednesday.
The Community Benefits Plan is $20-million, with each side of the border receiving $10-million.
Campeau says the deadline for groups to apply for the Community Organization Investment is January 31.
She says the applications will be evaluated and notifications to successful organizations will go out in April with funding being made available in July.
