Three groups in the Parkland region are the happy recipients of grants awarded by Community Futures Parkland. The PCFDC 2001 Tourism and 2001 Technology Grants make up a new last-resort program intended to support community development activities within local communities.

The grants, totalling $10,000, were introduced by the CFDC’s Board of Directors in an effort to address the need for community economic development in the region. Parkland serves 35 municipalities and 14 First Nation and Métis communities.

Though the program is only in its first year, Parkland sparked a lot of local interest, attracting a total of 18 proposals from throughout the region. After much deliberation over the many worthy projects, the board chose these three local groups as recipients.

Maintaining Trails, Maintaining Tourism
A grant of $5,000 went to the Intermountain Snowmobile Club, (ISC), for their tourism application to maintain their 400 km of trails. The ISC was incorporated in March of 1993 by the communities of Gilbert Plains, Grandview & Ethelbert, with strong support from other communities throughout the region. To date there are 400 km of snowmobile trails that provide access to a wide range of lakes, parks and communities in the district. The Intermountain Snowmobile Club continues to thrive. In return surrounding communities have seen positive sustainable development and economic benefits in their local stores, restaurants and hotels. Community Futures Parkland has worked with this club in the past, acting as a resource for writing proposals and accessing funding for development of new trails and equipment.

Talking Signs and FM Transmitter: A Tourist’s Own Radio Station
Inter-Parks Tourism (ITP) received $2,150 for their innovative project — the purchase and maintenance of a low frequency FM transmitter for the area. With this transmitter the tourism group will be able to welcome guests with the friendly voice of radio, offering them information about local attractions, accommodations, special events and more. Messages downloaded to an MP3 player, will be broadcast over an FM transmitter located centrally in the town of Roblin. Visitors will be informed through signage indicating the specific FM frequency to hear messages. Inter-parks believes this will be an effective method of marketing their attractions and services. ITP represents the tourism interests of Roblin, San Clara, Valley River, Inglis and the municipalities surrounding these towns and villages. The ITP area includes Asessippi Provincial Park and the south side of Duck Mountain Provincial Park from Madge Lake to Child’s Lake through to Baldy Mountain.

Grandview.com
The Grandview Chamber of Commerce was awarded $2,850 of the 2001 Technology grant dollars to develop Grandview’s presence through an on-line community promoting businesses and institutions. The Grandview & District Chamber of Commerce hopes this service will assist in developing community capacity in technology. Businesses and local organizations will be introduced to promotion on the Net through their own web-page. Being an on-line community will enable the local business people and community service groups to compete globally and will potentially give some groups and businesses the opportunity for on-line sales.

Due to the healthy response to the program this year, the board hopes to continue providing grants that reflect the region’s needs and fill any gaps in grant money offered through other program.