By Pam Fedack
The RM of Emerson-Franklin is taking bold steps to boost its population and support local amenities by launching a new housing incentive program aimed at drawing developers to the communities of Emerson and Dominion City.
Reeve Dave Carlson said the municipality was among the first in Canada—and one of only a few small municipalities—to secure federal Housing Accelerator Fund support, receiving about $2 million. That investment helped council create By-law 2025-03, which establishes a suite of incentives for new housing construction.
“This is more or less our response to the housing crisis,” Carlson explained. “We were among the first group of recipients of housing accelerator fund monies, and it has definitely kick-started some excitement and some great potential opportunities in our area.”
Under the new by-law, developers can qualify for grants of up to $25,000 per dwelling unit, as well as property tax rebates and permit fee reductions. Projects with eight or more units receive the highest level of support, while smaller developments, such as duplexes, are also eligible for funding.
Carlson said the program is designed to be performance-based, meaning payments are made when units are completed.
“If you’re building eight units or more, there’s $25,000 available per door. Four to seven units is $15,000 per unit, and even a two-unit duplex could receive $10,000 per door,” he explained. “We also have property tax rebates on a declining scale over four years, plus permit fee rebates.”
To make the most of the incentives, the municipality has identified key development sites. In Dominion City, 20 acres in the southeast corner have been secured and flood-proofed, with sheltering trees and the community pool and park next door.
“It’s a beautiful piece of property,” Carlson said. “We feel we can create a whole new neighbourhood there that will attract families and maybe bring back people who want new housing options.”
In Emerson, a four-acre parcel near the golf course is municipally owned and strategically located in the northeast corner of town.
Other infill opportunities exist in both communities, offering the potential for multi-family housing, row housing, or condos. Near Dominion City’s healthy living centre, council also envisions 55-plus housing options.
Carlson said these opportunities are about more than bricks and mortar. With amenities like schools, golf courses, pools, parks, curling rinks and fibre-optic internet, the communities are well-equipped to grow.
“We have kind of an embarrassment of riches when it comes to local amenities,” he said. “Many new communities must fight to get things like this, but we already have them. What we need is more people using them.”
Emerson has a K-12 school, community complex, arena, pool, golf course and local businesses that would benefit from more residents. Dominion City also boasts a K-12 school, curling rink, community hall, golf course and parks. Carlson said both towns are proud of their recreational and cultural assets.
“You look around at many places, and they’re scrambling to fundraise or apply for grants to build amenities,” he said. “We’ve already got them. We just need the population growth to support them.”
Addressing Population Decline
The populations in both towns have declined in recent decades. Emerson, once a busy border community where customs workers were required to live nearby, now has around 660 residents. Dominion City, historically a farming hub, has declined to a population of roughly 320 people.
Carlson said growth is essential to support local businesses and spread out the cost of utilities such as sewer and water.
“When you have sewer and water utilities, the more users, the better,” he said.
Carlson believes the municipality offers a quality of life that will appeal to families and remote workers alike. High-speed fibre internet has already made a difference, he said.
“I’m a mortgage broker by trade, and I work from home quite a bit. I’ve got better internet here than at my Winnipeg office.”
He also pointed to natural features like the Roseau River in Dominion City and the Red River in Emerson, along with historic sites, golf courses and trails.
“We’ve got beautiful landscapes and a lot of history here,” he said. “Not everyone wants to live in the city anymore, and people are opening their eyes to these opportunities.”
While some developers prefer projects closer to Winnipeg, Carlson said Emerson-Franklin has already seen strong interest in its sites.
“Once the first project starts, I think it will feed off itself and really go,” he said.
The RM has invested in marketing, using drone footage to showcase the communities and preparing a tourism platform to highlight attractions. Carlson said the vision is to combine housing opportunities with promotion of the area’s lifestyle.
“We’re excited for what we have to offer,” he said. “We have great communities, relatively safe, with amenities people are looking for. Now we want to attract more families to live here and see our towns prosper.”
