CHURCHILL, Man. - The Manitoba government is expanding a grant program in the hopes of spurring new ideas to attract visitors to Churchill, Man.

Mass layoffs at the port owned by U.S.-based Omnitrax left the area reeling earlier this summer.

The province has said it won’t be offering any sort of bail-out but will offer support to groups which come up with ideas to boost tourism in the area.

Trade Minister Cliff Cullen said it could help the community’s sagging economy.

“The season is getting longer, they’re getting more and more people coming, we’re looking at other options to try and augment tourism,” Cullen explained during a stop in Churchill on Monday.

“Whether it be the education component, research component, or getting back what they used to do years ago, which was Service Northern Canada.”

Cullen said the province has been trying to work out some kind of solution for the Port of Churchill mess, but admitted it hasn’t been easy.

“We’ve been out talking to the communities and business community, to try and come up with some sort of a positive business plan that would make money and be sustainable for the long term. And that, quite frankly, has been a big challenge.”

The Tourism Development Fund will be increased by more than 50 per cent to $297,000 in fiscal 2016, with priority to be given in part to projects that encourage nature-based outdoor recreation and wildlife and nature viewing.

Cullen also announced increased funding totalling $3.1 million that will allow Travel Manitoba to expand marketing campaigns targeting Canada, the United States and overseas travellers.

"Throughout the province there are major attractions that will draw international visitors," said Colin Ferguson, president and CEO of Travel Manitoba. "The government's increased tourism development and marketing investments will allow us, along with our regional partners, to showcase these unique tourism experiences on the world stage."

The province had previously announced plans to spend up to $9 million to support the construction of a new marine observatory in Churchill.

The rough times in northern Manitoba is not limited to Churchill; more than 300 workers in The Pas also found out they’re out of a job once the Tolko Industries kraft paper mill shuts down in December.

(CJOB, The Canadian Press)

News from © The Canadian Press, 2016