About Economic Development
STOREFRONT ENHANCEMENT GRANT (SEG) PROGRAM
The Storefront Enhancement Grant (SEG) Program is delivered through North End Revitalization Incorporated (NERI) in partnership with Neighbourhoods Alive!, Mosaic Market BIZ, Selkirk Avenue BIZ, and the Between the Parks Business Association. In 2008 the SEG Program awarded 28 businesses and non-profit organizations (within the NECRC catchment) matching grants (up to a maximum of $3,000.00) towards improving the appearance of their local storefront exteriors. The year was advanced to May 31, 2009 therefore allowing 9 additional grants. As of May 31, 2009 the total amount of $100,000 in grant funding was awarded, while total construction costs exceeded $277,491.22.
COMMUNITY FINANCIAL SERVICES CENTRE (Citizens Bridge)
The Community Financial Services Centre (Citizens Bridge) is administered through North End Revitalization Incorporated (NERI). The Citizens Bridgecontinues to work with various community partners and stakeholders towards the goal of offering North End clients a constructive and equitable alternative to fringe financial service providers such as pawnshops, cheque cashers, and payday lenders.
Partners/ Stakeholders
- Aboriginal Visioning for the North End
- Assiniboine Credit Union
- BUILD ( Building Urban Industry for Local Development)
- CIBC
- Community Financial Counselling Services
- Employment & Income Assistance (Main Street and Rorie locations)
- Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre
- Mount Carmel Clinic
- Native Women’s Transition Centre
- North End Community Renewal Corporation (NECRC), PATH, LSP Resource Centre
- North End Women’s Resource Centre
- North Point Douglas Women’s Centre
- Oyate Tipi
- SEED Winnipeg Inc.
- The Alternative Financial Services Coalition (AFSC)
- The Elizabeth Fry Society
- The Winnipeg Foundation
- Winnipeg Partnership Agreement (WPA)
The Citizens Bridge is now located at 607 Selkirk Ave
The Citizens Bridge was originally a two-year pilot project, that commencing direct delivery of products and services on November 16th, 2006 from Mount Carmel Clinic’s 886 Main Street building.
As of April 30, 2009 the Citizens Bridge provided the following services and resources to North End clients:
- 250 community organization referral clients have been received
- 250 client (photo) identification cards were issued
- 250 clients have received “one-on-one” financial counselling, an additional 120 people have participated in group financial educational workshops
- On-site opening and activation of 219 Assiniboine Credit Union (ACU) chequing and savings accounts, other services provided are direct deposit, internet and telephone banking, no-holds cheque cashing
The Citizens Bridge model is predicated on the belief that delivery of such financial services cannot be driven entirely by earned revenues, and that there needs to be recognition that certain important activities will have to be subsidized wholly or in part. At the same time, these services are rooted in the mainstream financial services sector, bridging the “unbanked” or “under-banked” into a relationship with a mainstream financial institution (ACU).