The Gordie Howe International Bridge team is distributing funds from its Community Benefits Plan to support nine projects – six in Windsor and three in Detroit.
“The Gordie Howe International Bridge project will create jobs and economic opportunities for the Windsor/Detroit region,” said Bryce Phillips, CEO of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA). “Beyond that, the project team is working closely with our neighbouring community members, involving them in the project and delivering meaningful benefits that will positively impact their quality of life. We are listening. We are partnering. We are connecting communities.”
The Community Organization Investment, an initiative under the Community Benefits Plan, is a five-year annual investment allowance allocated to registered non-profit or charitable organizations located in or serving residents in Sandwich/west Windsor and Delray/Southwest Detroit. The funds support infrastructure improvements, events, and programming that will benefit the communities and align with one of the community investment priorities, including community partnerships, community safety and connections, economic benefits, and landscaping.
This year’s recipients will receive $100,000 in funding in July 2020. The projects include:
- Sandwich First Baptist Church: Sandwich Underground Railroad Freedom Museum
- Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Windsor Essex Central Council: Helping Hands Friendship Centre
- Friends of the Court: Spreading Our Roots
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Windsor Essex: Big Neighbourhood – Sandwich
- Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA): Binational Detroit River Cleanup
- Les Amis Duff-Bâby: Grand Opening Event – Duff-Bâby Mansion
- West Vernor & Springwells Business Improvement District (BID): The Bid Is Open for Business!
- Bridging Communities, Inc.: Southwest Expanded Seniors Services
- Anne de Detroit Catholic Church (Food Pantry): Food Pantry Equipment & Replacement Expansion Program.
The recipients were selected following an application process that ran from November 2019 through January 2020 and resulted in 50 eligible submissions. The project’s local community group, comprised of stakeholders from the host communities on both sides of the border, played a significant role in reviewing the applications and providing recommendations to the project team.
As part of this initiative, community organizations can apply annually for funding for infrastructure improvements, events, and programming in amounts ranging from $1,000 – $25,000 (CDN). The application process for the 2021 funding cycle is anticipated to begin in November 2020.
The WDBA is a not-for-profit Canadian Crown corporation created to deliver the Gordie Howe International Bridge project between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan through a public-private partnership (P3). WDBA is responsible for overseeing and managing the construction and operation of the new crossing.
For further information on this project, click here.
Featured image credit of the Gordie Howe Bridge (Canadian side) in May 2020: WDBA.
