Windsor, Ontario • The Gordie Howe International Bridge team announced today the nine recipients of the $100,000 (CDN) Community Organization Investment through the project Community Benefits Plan.
Five organizations from Windsor and four from Detroit were selected following an application process, marking the third annual funding release of the five-year initiative.
This year’s recipients will receive funding in July 2022. The projects include:
Canada:
- Art Windsor-Essex: Look Again! Outside
- Society of Saint Vincent de Paul – Windsor Essex Central Council: Caring Hearts Food Bank
- Les Amis Duff-Bâby: Green Space Reclamation/Jesuit Pear Grove Conservation
- Sandwich Teen Action Group (STAG): Outdoor Basketball Hoops
- Big Brothers Big Sisters Windsor Essex: BBBS Big Sandwich Afterschool Program
US:
- Urban Neighborhood Initiatives (UNI): Creative Placemaking in Southwest Detroit
- Friends of the Rouge: Fort Street Bridge Park Multi-Purpose Trailhead Phase II
- We Are Culture Creators: Fiesta Detroit Cinco De Mayo Festival
- Livernois 2 Clark Neighborhood Association: Livernois 2 Clark Neighbor Connections
The Community Organization Investment is a five-year annual investment allowance with $50,000 (CDN) 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 identified through public consultation.
The application process ran from November 2021 through January 2022 and resulted in 28 eligible submissions. The project’s Local Community Group, comprised of stakeholders from the host communities, 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 2023 funding cycle is anticipated to open in November 2022.
QUOTES
“The Gordie Howe International Bridge project team is proud to see initiatives from the Community Benefits Plan having a positive and lasting impact on the host communities – the very communities that inspired and shaped the plan itself. Only through listening to and collaborating with local residents and representatives are we able to ensure the Community Benefits Plan is responsive to the communities’ priorities.”
- Bryce Phillips, CEO, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority
“Every spring when the Gordie Howe International Bridge project team unveils the recipients of the Community Organization Investment initiative, it’s an exciting time. It means meaningful investment into the local community for various events and projects that make a huge difference to the people in Delray and Sandwich. I would like to congratulate the nine winners of this year’s 2022 COI funds and wish them luck in rolling out their community initiatives.”
- Michael Hatchell, CEO, Bridging North America
QUICK FACTS
- Funding under the Community Organization Investment initiative will occur each year between 2020 to 2024 and is one of over 25 initiatives that make up the Neighbourhood Infrastructure Strategy component of the Gordie Howe ternational Bridge Community Benefits Plan.
- Initiatives that are eligible for funding must align with one of the community investment priorities identified during public consultation on Community Benefits. These priorities include community partnerships, community safety and connections, aesthetics and landscaping and economic benefits.
- 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, WindsorEssex 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
- Fact Sheet: 2022 Community Organization Investment Funded Initiatives
- Video: 2022 Community Organization Investment Recipients
- Winter/Spring 2022 Community Benefits Quarterly Report
- Investing in Our Communities
ASSOCIATED LINKS
- Community Organization Investment 2021 and 2020 recipients
- Gordie Howe International Bridge Community Benefits Plan
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
226-757-1716
