Windsor, Ontario • Additional funding to a popular Community Benefits Plan initiative will result in further support for the communities adjacent to the Gordie Howe International Bridge project.
The Community Organization Investment provides funding to support programming, events and small infrastructure improvements in the areas of Sandwich/west Windsor and Delray/Southwest Detroit. This year, the annual funding envelope has increased from a total of $100,000 (CDN) to a total of $200,000 (CDN). Each community will receive $100,000 in funding, up from the previous amounts of $50,000.
The funding is available to registered non-profit or charitable organizations located in or serving Sandwich/west Windsor and Delray/Southwest Detroit communities. The Gordie Howe International Bridge project team will accept applications for amounts ranging from $1,000 to $25,000 (CDN) between November 30, 2022, and January 25, 2023.
The Community Organization Investment is a five-year initiative under the Community Benefits Plan. In its first three years, $300,000 (CDN) has been invested in 26 local initiatives, however the amount requested each year through applications has exceeded the previous annual investment of $100,000 (CDN). Following consultation with community partners, the project team has committed to increasing the annual investment to $200,000 (CDN) for the remaining two years of the initiative.
Eligible applications will be reviewed by members of the project’s Local Community Group as well as senior representatives from Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA), Bridging North America (BNA) and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). The projects selected to receive funding will be announced in spring 2023.
Interested organizations can learn more about the 2023 Community Organization Investment initiative, application process and eligibility criteria by visiting GordieHoweInternationalBridge.com or by attending an upcoming virtual or in-person information session. Details and registration for the information sessions are available on the project website.
QUOTES:
“The Gordie Howe International Bridge Community Benefits Plan continues to support local initiatives that will provide better outcomes for the residents of Sandwich/west Windsor and Delray/Southwest Detroit for years to come. The increase in annual Community Organization Investment funding is another example of how the project team listens to the host communities and takes action where possible to meet their unique needs. I look forward to seeing the initiatives that result from this year’s round of funding.”
-Bryce Phillips, Chief Executive Officer, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority
“The project team is thrilled to increase funding to this popular initiative that supports many local charities and programs on both sides of the border. Expanding the funding will allow for investment in even more initiatives that directly support the communities. We hope to see another year with a large number of submissions to review.”
-Michael Hatchell, CEO, Bridging North America
QUICK FACTS:
- The Gordie Howe International Bridge Community Benefits Plan is being delivered by Bridging North America with collaboration and oversight from Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority and the State of Michigan.
- The Community Benefits Plan is comprised of two components: the Workforce Development and Participation Strategy and the Neighbourhood Infrastructure Strategy.In partnership with Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority and Bridging North America, more than 60 agencies and organizations will support the implementation.
- A Local Community Group representing the communities of Delray, Sandwich, Windsor-Essex County and the Greater Detroit Area has been formed by WDBA to act as informal partners during the implementation of the Community Benefits Plan.
RELATED PRODUCTS:
- Backgrounder: Supportive Statements
- Gordie Howe International Bridge Community Benefits Plan
- 2023 Community Organization Investment fact sheet
- Community Organization Investment Highlights
ABOUT WINDSOR-DETROIT BRIDGE AUTHORITY
Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) is a not-for-profit Canadian Crown corporation created to deliver the Gordie Howe International Bridge project between Windsor, ON and Detroit, MI through a public-private partnership (P3). WDBA is responsible for overseeing and managing the construction and operation of the new crossing. For more information visit www.GordieHoweInternationalBridge.com and follow the project on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GordieHoweBrg.
ABOUT BRIDGING NORTH AMERICA
Bridging North America (BNA) became the private-sector partner to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Gordie Howe International Bridge project in September 2018. BNA is comprised of some of the most recognized leaders in the construction and infrastructure industry which includes North American and international companies. BNA partners have significant experience carrying out major infrastructure projects such as the Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway in Windsor, Ontario; New Champlain Bridge Corridor in Montreal, Quebec; Autoroute 30 in Montreal, Quebec; Eglinton Crosstown LRT in Toronto, Ontario; Réseau Express Métropolitain (REM) in Montreal, Quebec; Automated People Mover at LAX Airport, California; Harbor Bridge, Corpus Christi, Texas; Tappan Zee Bridge in New York and San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, California.
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Gordie Howe International Bridge
Media Relations Team
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