Boosting Economic Growth Across the Province

Pete Fisher
7 years ago
• Categories: Provincial

Ontario Helping Rural Communities Attract Investment and Create Jobs

Ontario is bolstering economic growth in rural and Indigenous communities across the province by supporting projects that diversify and grow local economies through the community-focused Rural Economic Development (RED) program.

Lou Rinaldi, MPP for Northumberland–Quinte West made the announcement today in Clarington on behalf of Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Jeff Leal. The province is supporting:

Working together to support a Village – Orono Economic Development Strategy $20,000

Northumberland County – Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre Business Plan $16,800

Hamilton Township Website Redesign Project $25,000

 

Clarington, Northumberland and Hamilton Township are three of 86 communities from across the province that will receive support from the province through the RED program to attract investment, create jobs and help rural and Indigenous communities diversify and grow their local economies.

Supporting rural and Indigenous communities is part of Ontario’s plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change. The plan includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation.

 

QUOTES

“Investing in local projects that help attract investment and create good jobs is a vital component of our plan to boost economic growth in rural communities throughout the province. The RED program will support municipalities and organizations in the region by identifying and addressing barriers to long-term growth and helping to shape a strong future for our rural communities.”

— Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs,

 

“The RED program has been one of the most important economic development funding models. I have had the privilege for years of being at countless RED funding announcements just like the three today. RED has forever positively changed rural communities across my Riding and across Ontario. I know these funds will continue to be the cornerstone of rural economic development for years to come.”

 Lou Rinaldi, MPP for Northumberland-Quinte West

 

“With its tight-knit rural atmosphere, the Village of Orono is an important part of the Municipality of Clarington. Thanks to MPP Rinaldi’s relentless advocacy, the Orono LCBO will re-open to serve local residents. This initiative compliments our government’s investment through the Rural Economic Development program in Orono to help this community continue to thrive.”

 Granville Anderson, MPP for Durham

 

“Small towns like Orono are struggling, these announcements are good news, they are tangible steps to address Orono’s concerns.”

 Adrian Foster, Mayor, Municipality of Clarington

 

“The Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre supports farmers and food entrepreneurs throughout our region to increase revenues through value-added food-processing activities. With this funding from the Government of Ontario, Northumberland County will develop a long-term business plan for the OAFVC that will reinforce the decision-making framework for continued operation and development of these impactful services.”

 

“Furthermore, with the Government’s announcement of funding for Hamilton Township, we look forward to redesigning the municipal website to improve user experience and enhance connections between residents and businesses with their local government. We thank the Province for these investments, which will support our municipalities to foster – and respond to – continued growth and diversification of the local economy.”

 Mark Lovshin, Mayor of Hamilton Township and Warden of Northumberland County

 

QUICK FACTS

• The project announced today is one of 86 approved RED community projects across the province, representing a total investment of more than $3.2 million.
• The RED program provides $5 million in funding annually to support community economic development.
• Since 2013, the RED program has committed approximately $11.5 million towards almost 245 community economic development projects, generating $34 million in new economic activity and creating and supporting more than 1,200 jobs.