The Manitoba government has awarded grants to seven community organizations and tourism groups through the Manitoba STAR Attractions STAR Celebrations Enhancement Grant program.

“Investments like the STAR Attractions STAR Celebrations program directly help shape experiences that exemplify the best of Manitoba,” said Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Cliff Cullen.

“We are committed to supporting groups that improve our province’s brand, increase the number of visitors to Manitoba, and uncover our greatest experiences for everyone to enjoy.”

Seven organizations will share a total of $80,789. The minister noted additional funding under the STAR Attractions STAR Celebrations Enhancement Grant program remains available for application until Dec. 31.

“The STAR Attractions program is a great way to make visitors and Manitobans aware of the ‘must see’ cultural and natural experiences that our province has to offer,” said Colin Ferguson, president and CEO, Travel Manitoba.

Grants have been awarded to the following organizations :
Royal Canadian Artillery Museum – $12,000 for technology upgrades;
Oak Hammock Marsh – $5,800 for arrival and directional signage;
Spirit Way – $17,639 for interpretive panel upgrades;
Arborg Multicultural Heritage Museum – $4,500 for interpretive panels;
Manitoba Museum – $17,300 for visitor amenity and accessibility upgrades;
Morden Corn and Apple Festival – $8,550 for visitor orientation signage; and
Town of Churchill – $15,000 for interpretive panels.
The Manitoba government has increased grants for tourism marketing and development by $3.4 million for 2016-17.

“We are taking 4 per cent of the money generated by tourism and putting it back into tourism. It is an industry that generates $1.6 billion per year and we expect it will reach $2 billion shortly” said Cullen.

Travel Manitoba was allocated an increase of $3.125 million under the new Plan 96/4 Tourism Funding Model, he added.