The Government of Ontario in partnership with the Government of Canada has announced the launch of the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund – Not-for-Profit Organizations Intake. Cultural projects that are eligible include art galleries, libraries, museums, performing arts centres (for the creation or presentation of the arts) and projects that preserve or enhance heritage structures. Multi-purpose community centres with an arts component are also eligible.
This new intake is aimed at getting shovels in the ground for infrastructure projects across Ontario over the next two years. The deadline for applications is August 18th, 2009.
Projects must have eligible costs not less than $750,000 and not greater than $15 million. Projects exceeding the $15 million value will be considered on an exceptional basis, provided all other provisions are met. Projects must have secured all other necessary funds. As well, only assets that are currently owned or will be owned by Not-for-Profit entities will be eligible.
The Infrastructure Stimulus Fund will focus on the rehabilitation of existing assets and new infrastructure that can begin and be substantially completed by March 31, 2011. Given the need for immediate economic stimulus, priority will be given to those projects that are able to spend more than 40% of their funding by March 31, 2010.
Priority will also be given to projects that:
• Are rehabilitating or renovating existing assets, as opposed to new construction.
• Can be completed by December 2010 (eligibility still exists until March 31, 2011).
• Require not more than 1/3 federal funding and 1/3 provincial funding for the project.
• Have leveraged funding from another source(s) (e.g. municipal government).
• Have experience in managing capital projects, similar in nature to the proposed project.
The Infrastructure Stimulus Fund works by having the federal and provincial governments match municipal contributions towards infrastructure projects on an equal basis. All parties share one-third of the total eligible project cost.
Guidelines are available via: www.bcfontario.ca. Organizations can obtain an application user account by emailing: +SIMSI-SPGII@infc.gc.ca.
