THUNDER BAY — City administrators are recommending spending an additional $514,275 from its Community Partnership Fund to help pay the costs for a pair of projects.
In a report expected to be delivered at Monday’s Committee of the Whole meeting, administration is recommending allocating $500,000 toward a $6-million expansion plan at the Regional Food Distribution Association (RFDA).
The additional $14,275 would be handed over to the Community Clothing Assistance (CCA) to upgrade windows at their May Street store.
The CCA had asked for $43,000 to include parking lot repairs, but that task does not fall within the parameters of the fund’s policy.
Four other projects were previously approved under the fund, totalling $1.23 million.
The RFDA, which distributes emergency food to food banks throughout Northwestern Ontario, is looking to construct a 5,000-square-foot expansion that would provide additional space for its food supply operation, including more storage and preparation space.
In addition, the organization would like to add more community teaching kitchen and program spaces to help develop food literacy, cooking skills and employment opportunities.
The new space would also include space for wild game processing, allowing the RFDA a way to prepare wild game safely and legally and to accommodate local and culturally appropriate meats.
The total cost of the project is estimated at $6.96 million, $3.6 million of which has been secured through other funding methods.
The Community Partnership Fund sets its funding allocation allowance at a maximum of 25 per cent of the project’s cost, with a $500,000 cap.
Other projects approved include $220,000 for an Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services transition home on Junot Avenue, $175,000 for Suomi Koti, $100,000 for the Matawa Training and Wellness Centre, and $225,000 for the Matawa Education and Care Centre.
Another $108,000 had been committed to Wequedong Lodge to go toward an energy-efficient safe housing complex, but outside funding was not sourced when the agreement expired at the end of last year, so the money was released back into the fund.
Should council approve funding for the two new projects, the Community Partnership Fund would be down to $496,892.
The deadline for organizations to apply for 2025 consideration is July 21, 2024.
