News Release
Gordie Howe International Bridge Team Announces Funding to Local Community Organizations
Windsor, Ontario • The Gordie Howe International Bridge team announced the distribution of $100,000 (CDN) as part of the project Community Benefits Plan to be shared by nine exciting and versatile projects – six in Windsor and three in Detroit.
The Community Organization Investment, an initiative under the Community Benefits Plan, is a five- year annual investment allowance with $50,000 allocated to registered non-profit or charitable organizations located in or serving residents in Sandwich/west Windsor and Delray/Southwest Detroit respectively. The funds support events, programming and infrastructure improvements that will benefit the communities and align with one of the community investment priorities, including community partnerships, community safety and connections, economic benefits, and/or aesthetics and landscaping.
This year’s recipients will receive 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
- Ste. 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 events, programming and infrastructure improvements in amounts ranging from $1,000 - $25,000 (CDN). The application process for the 2021 funding cycle is anticipated to begin in November 2020.
Quotes
“The Gordie Howe International Bridge project will create jobs and economic opportunities for the Windsor/Detroit region. 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.”
- Bryce Phillips, CEO, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority
“This is yet another milestone in the delivery of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project. This Community Organization Investment is an extension of our Community Benefits Plan and the result of continued collaboration with our many stakeholders and will provide positive outcomes for the communities in west Windsor and Southwest Detroit.”
- Aaron Epstein, CEO, Bridging North America
Quick Facts
- Funding under the Community Organization Investment initiative will occur each year over 2020 to 2024 and is one of over 25 initiatives that make up the Neighbourhood Infrastructure Strategy component of the Gordie Howe International Bridge Community Benefits Plan.
- The Gordie Howe International Bridge Community Benefits Plan is being delivered by Bridging North America with collaboration and oversight from WDBA and the State of Michigan.
- 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
- Fact Sheet: 2020 Community Organization Investment Funded Initiatives
- Video: 2020 Community Organization Investment Recipients
- Fact Sheet: Construction the Next Six Months
- Community Benefits Quarterly Report
Associated Links
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 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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