For over a decade the Community Futures Southwest has been awarding grants around the Southwest for Beautification projects in various communities for over ten years.

This year a total of $14,000 has been allocated for 15 projects.

The size of projects range in size and cost.

"So this year we had a good number of applications and we had in some communities more then one," said John Parker is the General Manager of Community Futures Southwest. "We were able to do one in all the communities that applied."

Parker added that signage for streets, playground equipment and cemetary's were just some examples of the projects that the money will be used for.

"We have a philosophy that if you want people to come and live there and you want people to come and do business in your community, first impressions are very, very important. So the community beautification has helped out with that aspect and it has been very well received over the years," noted Parker.

The following projects were all awarded grants; Herbert Heritage Association in Herbert, RM of Excelsior, Village of Rush Lake, Town of Cabri, Town of Gull Lake, Notakeu Regional Park, Village of Cadillac, Village of Hodgeville, Resort Village of Beaver Flats, Village of Sceptre, Economic Development of Val Marie, Village of Val Marie, SW Settlers Museum in Frontier, Sidney School Playground in Maple Creek, Town of Abbey.