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The Rural Initiatives Division moved to Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives
in late 2003 from the former Department of Intergovernmental Affairs.
The Division, which services rural and northern communities, includes
two branches:
- Economic Development Initiatives, which is responsible for the
Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI);
- Community, Cooperative and Regional Development Initiatives, which is
responsible for regional community economic development advisors, rural
policy development, Cooperative Development Services (urban and rural),
special initiatives (such as Rural Forum), funding of Regional
Development Corporations (RDC) and representation on the National Rural
Policy Framework.
The combination of Rural Initiatives with Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives
recognizes the interdependent relationship between producers and
communities in agro-Manitoba. Many Manitoba communities rely on the
agricultural sector as a key economic driver, with communities providing
goods, services, employment, social and recreational opportunities for
farmers and their families.
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Hometown Manitoba Program Guide for
2005 |
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES (EDI)
The EDI Branch is responsible for the management of the Rural
Economic Development Initiative (REDI), which reinvests video lottery
terminal (VLT) revenue back into rural and northern Manitoba to promote
community economic development.
REDI funds enhance business and cooperative development, create
opportunities for youth, support industry and help rural communities and
organizations address local priorities and needs, thereby improving
Manitobans’ quality of life. REDI programs include Feasibility Studies,
Community Works Loan Program, Rural Entrepreneur Assistance (REA),
Hometown Manitoba Program and youth programs (e.g. Young Entrepreneurs
Program, Skill Development for Young Entrepreneurs, Aboriginal Youth
Mean Business and Green Team). EDI services benefit a number of client
groups including, existing and aspiring entrepreneurs and cooperators,
as well as municipalities and local governments in rural and northern
Manitoba.
COMMUNITY, COOPERATIVE & REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES BRANCH (CCARDI)
The CCARDI Branch supports the community and regional economic
development efforts of rural and northern Manitobans. The Branch is
responsible for:
- Researching and partnering with community, business and cooperative
leaders to develop community and economic development policies and
strategies to support rural and northern community economic development
activities;
- Coordinating and participating in special events and initiatives in
partnership with other key stakeholders (e.g. Rural Forum);
- Gathering and synthesizing information and working with
Communications Services Manitoba to assist in creating and implementing
effective marketing and information/communication strategies for the
Division;
- Providing funding support for Regional Development Corporations (RDC);
- Assisting communities and groups throughout Manitoba to develop
viable cooperatives by providing pathfinding for financial assistance
and other programs and services, general information on cooperatives,
assistance in identifying needs and opportunities for cooperative
development, and encouragement and support for developing cooperatives.
In addition to providing information and advice to existing and new
co-ops, staff also administers The Cooperative Promotion Board and The
Co-operative Loans and Loan Guarantee Board. The Cooperative Promotion
Board provides grants to assist and encourage the development of
cooperative enterprise in Manitoba. The Co-operative Loans and Loan
Guarantee Board was established to ensure that cooperative organizations
have reasonable access to capital necessary for the development and
expansion of viable cooperative enterprises. The principle tool used is
loan guarantees.
Rural Initiatives brings to the Department a commitment to improving
the quality of life for all rural Manitobans. Rural Initiatives will
continue to provide financial resources as well as advice, path finding
and facilitation support to rural communities, entrepreneurs and
cooperatives to help them grow economically and socially, in a
sustainable manner that builds community stability and pride.
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