April 14, 2009

MIDLAND, Ontario, April 14, 2009 — Today, Bruce Stanton, Member of Parliament for Simcoe North, on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for FedNor, announced that the Government of Canada is investing in community-based projects and business services in South-Central Ontario.

With the Government of Canada’s investment through FedNor’s Community Futures Program, the North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation will offer business services, access to capital for small and medium-sized businesses, and support for community development projects for a three-year period.  The Corporation delivers its services in both official languages and actively supports the economic development needs in both the French and English communities.

An additional investment in support of the South-central Regional Network will foster networking, professional development, collaborative marketing initiatives and the sharing of best practices among the region’s seven Community Futures Development Corporations.

“The North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation has been an important partner in the economic prosperity of South-central Ontario, particularly its support of small business,” said MP Stanton.  “Our contributions will help the North Simcoe and the other Community Futures organizations in the South-central region with their ongoing efforts to enhance the local economy and create jobs.”

“I am proud of our Government’s successful record of providing communities with the tools they need to grow and prosper,” said Minister Clement.  “Our investment in this Community Futures Development Corporation ensures that small and medium-sized businesses and communities in the region continue to have access to information and services vital to their economic well-being.”

“We appreciate FedNor’s ongoing support of our organization’s operations as well as the operation of the South-central Community Futures Regional Network”, said Christopher Johnston, Chair of the North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation.  “These investments enable us to support the community’s economic growth through communitybased planning and small business development initiatives”.

The Government of Canada is contributing a total of $1,010,000 through FedNor’s Community Futures Program to the North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation.  To find out more about Ontario’s Community Futures Development Corporations, visit:  http://ic.gc.ca/cfdc-ontario

For more information, please contact:

Laryssa Waler
A/Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
613-995-9001

Robert Naud
Senior Communications Officer, FedNor
613-954-3691 or 1-877-333-6673