The City of Brandon in partnership with the Brandon Chamber of Commerce is pleased to introduce the Brandon Economic Restart Program (BERP). Designed to stimulate investment in local businesses negatively impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, BERP will position businesses to rebound and thrive as the economy begins to reopen. Eligible Brandon businesses can apply for a one-time grant of up to $2,500. Applications will be evaluated on a first come, first served basis until the available funding is depleted. Business eligibility includes: Legally operating within the City of Brandon on or before July 12, 2020 Be able to demonstrate that their net income has been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic Invest a minimum of 10% from their own funds toward the eligible investment Government organizations, post-secondary institutions, health authorities, craft home-based businesses, or independent consultants are not eligible for this program. Eligible investments include: Professional Services Marketing Technology Improvements Furniture & Equipment Eligible investments must be made on or after July 13, 2021, up until December 31, 2021, with exceptions granted on a case-by-case basis via the City of Brandon’s Economic Development Department. Businesses can apply prior to making the investment or they can apply after the investment is made, understanding there is no guarantee of funding approval. BERP grant applications will be evaluated in a two-phased approach. Applications must first meet both business and investment eligibility to be considered. Once both eligibilities have been approved, the next phase will be evaluated using the following evaluation criteria: Financial Need Likelihood Proposed Investment(s) Achieve Program Goals Level of Private Sector Financial Contributions Financial Investment Being Spent in Brandon Economy Funded by the City of Brandon with a total of $250,000 allocated to BERP, the City’s Economic Development Department will administer the program with support from the Brandon Chamber of Commerce Business Recovery Taskforce. Further information including the Application Guide and Application Form can be found at Brandon Economic Restart Program (BERP) - Economic Development Brandon. “I am very pleased that we are able to invest $250,000 to support our local businesses that have been so negatively impacted by the pandemic,” notes Mayor Rick Chrest. “Local businesses are the backbone of our community and economy. We hope this investment will help position our local businesses to rebound and thrive once again.” (submitted)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On August 11, 2021 at 1:42 am, police responded to several reports of shots fired in the area of 4th and Louise Ave. Investigation into the reports revealed that following an altercation between a group of individuals, one of the male’s involved discharged a handgun.  No one was injured and no property was damaged. On August 11, 2021 at approximately 11:20 am, police located and arrested the 40-year-old male who was responsible for firing the weapon.  He was lodged at Brandon Police Service and will appear in court today on charges of Careless Use of Firearm, Possession of a Weapon, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm knowing its Possession is Unauthorized, and Possession of Firearm Contrary to Prohibition Order.  He did not have the handgun on him at the time of his arrest. A second male involved in the disturbance was also located and arrested at 10:10 am, for Uttering Threats during the altercation.  Upon his arrest police discovered, he was in possession of Meth.  The 27-year-old male was later released to appear in court on December 13, 2021 on charges of Uttering Threats and on December 9, 2021 on charges of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Meth.

A two vehicle crash in the intersection of 18th Street and Brandon Avenue temporarily shut down all southbound traffic Wednesday afternoon. The t-bone crash occurred around 3pm in the busy intersection, forcing police to shut down southbound traffic at 18th Street and Park Avenue, rerouting motorists east and west on Park. Fire crews used sand to soak up some spilt fluids on the roadway, and it appeared that airbags deployed in both vehicles. A police officer said that nobody was taken away in an ambulance. Full Tilt Towing responded to the scene with two trucks to clear the wrecked vehicles away.

Every child deserves the best possible start in life, and all parents should have the ability to build both a family and career. Yet, too many families across Canada lack access to affordable, inclusive, and high-quality child care. The global COVID-19 pandemic has also made it clear that without access to child care, too many parents—especially women—cannot fully participate in the workforce. That is why the Government of Canada has laid out a plan to provide parents in Canada with, on average, $10 a day regulated child care spaces by 2025-26. This plan to build a Canada-wide, community-based early learning and child care system will make life more affordable for families, create new jobs, get parents—especially women—back into the workforce, and grow the middle class, while giving every child a real and fair chance at success. The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Canada’s Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, and the Honourable Rochelle Squires, Manitoba’s Minister of Families, today announced an agreement that will support an average of $10 a day for regulated child care spaces in the province in 2023, significantly reducing the price of child care for families. By the end of 2022, Manitoba families will see a 50 per cent reduction in average parent fees for children up to six years old in regulated child care. This agreement will also lead to the creation 23,000 new full-time regulated care spaces by the end of fiscal year 2025–2026 to ensure all families of children up to six years old can access child care. The province will create these new child care spaces in not-for-profit, public child care providers/operations, as well as in family-based child care. The federal funding of more than $1.2 billion over the next five years will also fund critical services for Manitoba families and children and grow a strong and skilled workforce of early childhood educators, including through the creation of a wage grid to support the attraction and retentions of early childhood educators. This agreement will also lead to the creation of 1,700 extended hour child care spaces for families requiring child care in the evening and on weekends as well as guaranteed child care spaces for children whose parents are transitioning into regular employment. The agreement will also support an early learning and child care system that is fully inclusive of children with disabilities and children needing enhanced or individual supports, and ensure all families have equitable access to high-quality, affordable programming. Manitoba will prioritize inclusivity, ensuring that families have access to integrated and culturally responsive services. Funding through the agreement will also support the strengthening of the early learning and child care workforce by modernizing certification requirements and implementing a wage floor for different positions and classifications. Since 2015, the government has been helping make life more affordable for families. This includes programs like the Canada Child Benefit, which was indexed again in July 2021 to help families keep up with the costs of living and raising their children. The time for a Canada-wide early learning and child care system is now. The Government of Canada will continue to work with provinces, territories, and Indigenous partners across the country to make life easier and more affordable for families, grow the middle class, create jobs, help parents—especially mothers—return to the workforce, and give children across the country an equal chance to succeed. (Province pf MB News Release)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On August 8, 2021, at 12:40 pm, police responded to a break and enter in progress in the 100 block of 2nd street.  The two suspects were scared off by neighbours and fled. Police located and arrested the 17-year-old male suspect, and the 29-year-old suspect in the area.  The 17-year-old suspect was in possession of a slim jim tool at the time of his arrest.  He was later released to appear in court on October 5, 2021 on charges of Break and Enter with Intent and Possess Break in Instruments. The 29-year-old suspect was in possession of a pry bar at the time of his arrest.  He was lodged at Brandon Police Service and will appear in court today on the same charge