May 19, 2006

GRAVENHURST, Ontario, May 19, 2006 — Parry Sound–Muskoka MP, the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health and Minister for FedNor, today announced $338,750 in support of the small business and forestry sectors in the Muskoka area.

“Canada’s new government believes that small businesses drive our economy in our rural and Northern communities,” said Minister Clement.  “This FedNor funding will support local businesses looking to expand and create jobs, or entrepreneurs looking to start up a business.”

The Muskoka Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) will use the funding to provide services to support local economic development and small business growth, including:

• access to capital
• business services
• strategic community planning and development

Included in this funding is a $10,000 investment that went to the Westwind Forest Stewardship Inc. for forestry workshops on under-utilized tree species.

In the last five years, Northern Ontario CFDCs have provided loans and business counselling activities to help the small business sector create or maintain 10,000 jobs in the North.  Last year, the Muskoka CFDC assisted in creating or maintaining 38 jobs.

“We look forward to helping this region flourish by fostering partnerships with other community economic development stakeholders,” said Jan Lucy, Chair of the Muskoka CFDC.  “Encouraging diversification, creating more year-round employment and addressing youth out-migration are priorities for this community.”

The Muskoka CFDC is one of 61 Community Futures Development Corporations in rural and Northern Ontario funded by Industry Canada's Community Futures Program through FedNor.

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

Mélanie Mayer
Communications Officer, FedNor
(705) 671-4425 or 1 877 333-6673