January 2, 2007

PARRY SOUND, Ontario, January 12, 2007 – Parry Sound—Muskoka MP, the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health and Minister for FedNor was joined by the Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Industry to celebrate the grand opening of the Parry Sound Municipal Airport expansion project.  The milestone event was held in conjunction with the Parry Sound Area Chamber of Commerce “After 5” business session.

“I was pleased to confirm FedNor’s investment of $352,500 for the Airport expansion project at the official groundbreaking ceremony last July,” said Minister Clement.  “Today we are celebrating the results of that investment – job creation and new business opportunities.”

Funding for the airport project was part of a $1.4M investment by FedNor in the local Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) known as the Parry Sound Area Community Business and Development Centre.  The Parry Sound CFDC is one of 61 Community Futures Development Corporations in rural and Northern Ontario funded by FedNor’s Community Futures Program.

“This project is an excellent example of how Canada’s New Government is getting things done for the people of Northern Ontario,” said Minister Bernier.  “The investment we’ve made in the Parry Sound Area CFDC and the airport expansion is significant, and will benefit both the tourism and small business sectors for many years to come.”

“The Airport expansion project has already started paying dividends,” said Fred Dimmick, Chair of the Parry Sound Area Community Business & Development Centre.  “We have seen an immediate increase in demand for the new industrial space and as a result, 17 additional hangars have been constructed with a waiting list for seven more.”

To find out more about Ontario CFDCs, visit:  http://cfdc-ontario.ic.gc.ca

For more information, please contact:

Erik Waddell
Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
613-957-0200

Barclay Babcock
Communications Officer, FedNor
705-671-0715 or 1-877-333-6673