March 18, 2009

CALEDONIA, Ontario, March 18, 2009 — Today, the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and Dean Allison, Member of Parliament for Niagara West—Glanbrook, on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, announced that the Government of Canada is investing in community-based projects and business services in rural Southwestern Ontario.

With the Government of Canada’s investment, through FedNor’s Community Futures Program, the Grand Erie Business Centre will offer business services, access to capital for small and medium-sized business, and support for community development projects for a one-year period.

“I applaud the Grand Erie Business Centre’s contributions to our local businesses and our community as a whole,” said Minister Finley.  “Our Government’s continuous funding of the centre is one of the ways we are showing our commitment to helping rural communities, like Haldimand County, continue to grow and prosper.”

“Community Futures Development Corporations are an invaluable resource to entrepreneurs and the small business sector in rural Ontario,” said MP. Allison.  “Our financial support for this CFDC is helping the local economy and improving the lives of the people in Haldimand County and the Township of West Lincoln.”

“Our government is committed to building strong and sustainable economies in Ontario communities,” said Minister Clement.  “Our partnership with Community Futures Development Corporations is helping the small business sector grow and create jobs.”

The Grand Erie Business Centre is one of 61 Community Futures Development Corporations in rural and Northern Ontario funded through the Community Futures Program.

“We are proud of the role we play in helping to ensure the economic prosperity of communities in our service area and of the faith FedNor continues to show in our abilities,” said Kaye Spratt, Chair of Grand Erie Business Centre Inc.  “This funding will allow us to continue to work hard to build on our successes to date.”

The Government of Canada is contributing $300,000 through FedNor’s Community Futures Program to the Grand Erie Business Centre Inc.  To find out more about Ontario’s Community Futures Development Corporations, visit:  http://ic.gc.ca/cfdc-ontario

For more information, please contact:

Pema Lhalungpa
Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
613-995-9001

Robert Naud
Acting Director, Communications Unit, FedNor
613-954-3691 or 1-877-333-6673