Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF) – Local Impact Stream in the Prairie provinces

• Confirmed funding
• Copy of ownership or lease agreement
• Financial statements over the past 2 years
• Project plan or Gantt chart
• Proof of permissions to undertake renovations, if applicable, and supporting documents such as incorporation documents, proof of signing authority, proof of shovel readiness, required permits, regulatory approvals, resolutions, and a detailed budget

Who is eligible?

• Local or regional governments
• Organizations created by local or regional governments
• Incorporated not-for-profit organizations, including co-operatives and business improvement areas
• Indigenous organizations, including Indigenous-led not-for-profits, First Nations represented by their Chief and Council, Tribal Councils, Indigenous Representative Organizations, Inuit organizations, and Métis Settlements

Who is not eligible

• Individuals
• Businesses
• Provincial or territorial governments

Eligible expenses

• Costs associated with the construction or improvement of community infrastructure
• Direct materials and supplies related to the project
• Purchase of equipment or machinery directly related to or necessary for the project
• Incremental fees paid to professional, technical personnel, consultants and contractors for activities directly related to the project
• Incremental wages and benefits for individuals employed for the project, design and planning costs, costs related to meeting legal, regulatory, or government requirements, and costs related to signage promoting the visibility of federal contributions

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Costs that are deemed unreasonable, not incremental, and/or not directly related to project activities are ineligible for reimbursement
• Acquisition or leasing of land, buildings, or other facilities
• Recurring operations and maintenance
• Motorized vehicles, amortization or depreciation of assets, refinancing of existing debt, goodwill, in-kind costs, and the purchase of any assets for more than fair market value
• Water, wastewater, and stormwater management assets; roads and sidewalks; public transit, including active transportation; post-secondary education-related infrastructure, such as colleges and universities; and health-related infrastructure, such as hospitals, emergency rooms, urgent care centres, community health centres, and medical schools

• Ability to achieve the BCSF objectives and program priorities
• Project viability, including management capability and financial capacity
• Economic benefits and community impact
• Compliance with applicable legislation and regulatory or permit requirements
• Applications involving Indigenous, rural and/or remote communities, or Official Language Minority Communities may be given preference

• Prepare to complete your application by following the steps listed in Before you apply.
• Log in to the PrairiesCan portal.
• Complete the application form using the BCSF applicant guide.
• Attach the required documents.
• Submit the application form through the PrairiesCan portal.

• Applications undergo detailed assessment and PrairiesCan may contact applicants for details or additional information during assessment
• Funding decisions are usually made within 90 business days of receiving a complete application with satisfactory supporting documentation
• If approved, applicants are invited to enter into a contribution agreement with PrairiesCan, which must be signed within 30 days of notification and cannot be signed until all funding sources are confirmed
• Successful applicants must submit periodic progress reports at least twice per year, annual financial statements, and track and report key project activities and deliverables up to the final reporting date
• Funding is provided in periodic reimbursements based on claims for the approved portion of eligible project costs that have been paid

• Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) reserves the right to modify these guidelines at any time without notice.