Brandon is getting $300,000 from the province for downtown safety and security, as part of the NDP government’s broader push to reduce crime across Manitoba.

Mayor Jeff Fawcett announced the funding Thursday during his annual state of the city speech, saying the city will focus on using the funding to boost safety and security in the downtown core.

“There’s a lot of different areas we can work on,” he told CBC. “Could it be lighting? Could it be other things? So the door’s pretty open. Bottom line … I appreciate that it’s coming.”

Portage la Prairie is also getting $200,000 to help with security and community safety initiatives. The funding is intended to help prevent crime and address its root causes by focusing on community partnerships, and for security upgrades, the province said in a Thursday news release.

Brandon Chamber of Commerce president Jennifer Ludwig welcomed the funds for the province’s second-largest city.

“Most of our member businesses from downtown are reporting that safety can be an issue,” she told CBC. “It is something that they’re being very proactive about and working to improve their security measures to prevent break-ins, different things like that.”

The new funding could help those efforts, while also showing downtown is worth investing in, Ludwig said. She’s also seeing investments from the business community, with new shops opening because they recognize the downtown’s potential.

While there are no details yet on how the money will be spent, Ludwig would like to see an increased police presence in the core, praising the positive impact of the Brandon Police Service’s community cadets program, which launched in 2023.

She’s looking forward to other creative measures that could help, and hopes along with housing investments, they’ll help boost foot traffic in the core.

“I grew up in Brandon. I remember the glory days of our downtown,” she said.

“I am extremely hopeful that we can get back to that point again. It’s going to take time. And a lot of our members who are already established in downtown are seeing that potential as well.”

Revitalizing downtown

During his state of the city speech, Fawcett noted taxes have been increasing in Brandon, with a significant portion of that going to public safety — investments he said are needed for a mid-size city like Brandon, along with building up market housing and retail in the core.

“A lot of local stuff goes into downtown, because we need to make sure that we have reasons to be down there,” he said.

The city has already seen some safety improvements, with an increased cadet presence in the heart of the city, the mayor said. He wants to see that program enhanced, along with an improved 24/7 washroom in the core to reduce public health and safety concerns.

It’s part of a drive to revitalize downtown, and the provincial funding announced Thursday validates those efforts, said Fawcett.

“They also notice the work we’re doing, and they’re putting good money after good product,” he told CBC.

Fawcett celebrated Brandon as a growing community. According to the 2021 census, the city had a population of just over 51,000, but has been growing at a rate of around four per cent annually, Fawcett said. If that continues, the city could hit 100,000 by 2040 — something he said is not sustainable.

His hope is Brandon can reach 80,000 residents by then, but the city would have to ensure infrastructure is keeping up.

Fawcett told the crowd at his state of the city speech partnerships will be needed to make that happen, highlighting the efforts of Grow Brandon— an economic development group— the Chamber of Commerce and others to boost industry and the local economy.

“We’re now all rowing in the same direction,” he said. “This is part of getting the critical population. We need to have the services and amenities.”

Fawcett also highlighted the importance of the city’s relationship with CFB Shilo, saying collaboration will be needed as the military base east of Brandon grows with an expected surge of new personnel that could number in the thousands.

“These investments are set to create new housing demands, foster expansion at the base and spark growth for our local developers and entrepreneurs,” he said.

Fawcett said the city is working on housing.

“We’re making real progress to ensure that Brandon remains an accessible and attractive place to live for all,” he said during his speech.