by Edith Cody-Rice
The Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture has granted $26,000 to Mississippi Mills to help fund a cultural assessment. The funds were allocated under the the Creative Communities Prosperity Fund (CCPF). The Minister's letter announcing the grant stated that “Projects funded through the CCPF will help to cultivate dynamic and inclusive creative communities across the province and reap benefits for Ontarians and visitors alike”. Mississippi Mills and cultural stakeholders will also contribute monies to fund the first of a 3 phase/3 year initiative to create a cultural plan for Mississippi Mills.
The assessment will identify and analyze the community’s cultural resources and needs. The Town of Mississippi Mills will engage the community in the very definition of what constitutes important cultural assets, both tangible and intangible. The assessment will allow staff, council and residents the opportunity to begin to visually identify its shared cultural resources and think strategically about how these resources can assist in achieving its civic goals. Ingrid Kadoke, the Chair of the ACAC, expressed her appreciation, "I am very happy with the recent recognition the cultural community in Mississippi Mills has received from the province. This will go a long way to help energize the other emerging cultural and economic initiatives in our community."