You may know Community Futures White Horse Plains as an economic development agency that works with entrepreneurs and businesses in Manitoba to start or expand businesses.

Penny Schoonbaert, the Community Economic Development Coordinator explains further.

"Whether you're just starting a business or looking to expand your business, we do business plans, cash flow, and small business loans. On the other side, the community economic side, which is my position. We do a lot of training for businesses and non-profits for social media. We teach them how to use Facebook, Twitter, what's more important, when to post, and workshops."

For the past three years, CFWHP has managed to include funds to create community growth in its budgeting process. Economic Development isn’t always about businesses and sales, but also about community and stability, growth or maintenance of the population. CFWHP has created a granting program that local or regional non-profit organizations can apply for, to do just that. These groups can apply for non-repayable funds for a project that will directly impact their community.

Some of the recipients announced include the Elie Community Club to replace their old worn-out fluorescent lighting with new energy-efficient ones to the tune of $1,622. In St Eustache, a small grant of just over $2,000 was given to build a pergola at the historic monument site. Others receiving $5K were SFX Community Club for renovations, St Charles Headingley United Church for a wheelchair ramp, and Headingley Bright Beginnings Educare for outdoor playspace enhancements.

A twist to this year's program was a small grant called COVID Relief. This was created to assist non-profit groups that suffered hardships due to program cancellations, rental losses etc. There were so many worthy applicants but CFWHP only had the funds for four recipients. Fort La Reine Museum, Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment, Belcourt Community Club (RM of SFX) and F5 Fitness Center in Elie were the recipients. Each of them received $2,500 in a non-repayable grant to help them cover some of their losses.

"To be able to help these organizations out, especially when these organizations are run by hardworking volunteers who hardly ever get a pat on the back for the work they do. To be able to help make things better for their organizations is the most amazing feeling, just wonderful."

All of the recipients help to create and maintain community economic development through connecting their communities and making them a better place to live, work and play.