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Mission

The Jubilee Fund advocates economic opportunity for all members of society, through loan guarantees for community economic development initiatives.

Vision

The Jubilee Fund sees a future in which disadvantaged members of society are able to move ahead with their economic goals.

-> see vision & goals

Loan Guidelines
-> see them here

Board Members
-> see them here

Major Changes Happening on North Main

 

Neechi Commons First-Phase Construction to Start July 2010.

 

Neechi Foods Co-Op Ltd. has taken a big step towards helping to transform Main St. north of the CPR underpass. In August, 2009 the Co-Op purchased 49,400 sq. ft. of property alongside the North Point Douglas and Lord Selkirk Park neighbourhoods at the former California Fruit Market site. The Jubilee Fund played a key role in making this happen by securing 29 % of a loan from Assiniboine Credit Union used by Neechi to buy the site  and some equipment.

In summer of 2010, work will start on the construction of the five million dollar redevelopment plans that will include a new Neechi Foods supermarket, retailers and office tenants. The new store will double the size of its present location on Dufferin Street and provide a much higher-profile to drive-by traffic.  This development will bring a major boost to the region.

Neechi is in its 20th year as an Aboriginal, north-end, inner-city cooperative, owned and operated by its workers. The Co-Op hopes to start limited store operations at the site by year-end and to spearhead the development of a community business complex, “Neechi Commons”, over the next two to three years. So far, business ideas that are being          seriously considered include full range grocery services, Aboriginal foods, crafts, books and music, organic and regionally grown produce, community café, bakery, fish market, hydroponic production and training and a farmers market. It will take at least two years for the site to be fully developed. Currently there are two connected buildings on the northernmost portion of the site. The remainder of the property is vacant.

                                                                            Sandi Chief with bannock pizza

Our camera was recently visiting the Neechi Foods location on 325 Dufferin Avenue. Everyone was very busy, but I managed to speak with Elizabeth Captain, Customer Service Clerk, about their new location. She commented "I'm very excited about the bigger space on Main St.; excited for me and for the neighbourhood."

Neechi Commons will have a strong community economic development impact on Main St., the North-End and the two adjacent neighbourhoods. Both neighbourhoods are primarily made up of Aboriginal families and that is where

most of the employees will be recruited. In addition, by featuring products that are harvested and processed in regions close to Winnipeg and in Northern Manitoba, the complex will contribute to regional economic development.

Eventually Neechi

Elizabeth Captain with fresh supply of blueberries.

Eventually Neechi Foods expects to transfer ownership of the Commons to a not-for-profit consortium that will include representation from Neechi and other resident businesses, as well as from financial and community and/or public sector stakeholders. Individual businesses will be tenants on the Commons.

 

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                                                                                                     Cecilia McKay making bannock dough