February 21, 2008
CALEDONIA, Ontario, February 21, 2008 — The Honourable Diane Finley, Member of Parliament for Haldimand-Norfolk and Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and Dean Allison, Member of Parliament for Niagara West–Glanbrook, on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health and Minister for FedNor, today announced a federal contribution of $297,500 to the local Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) known as the Grand Erie Business Centre, in support of its ongoing operations.
“The Government of Canada is committed to helping rural Ontario communities prosper,” said Minister Finley. “The Community Futures Program is an important tool in our efforts and CFDCs such as this are the reason for its tremendous success.”
“The Grand Erie Business Centre has been a mainstay in supporting businesses and community activities in the region for more than 15 years and this funding recognizes the organization’s tremendous contributions over the years,” added MP Allison.
Budget 2007 introduced a number of key initiatives in support of the small business sector, including:
- reducing the federal paper burden
- reducing the tax compliance burden
- reducing taxes on new business investment
The Grand Erie Business Centre provides services to support local economic development and small business growth, including: access to capital, business services, community-based projects, and strategic community planning and socio-economic development.
Over the last year, the CFDC invested more than $905,000 in small and medium-sized businesses in the region, resulting in the creation or maintenance of 36 full and part-time jobs, and contributing to an enhanced business community.
“We are proud of our leadership role in the region over the past 15 years and we look forward to serving our clients for many more years to come,” said Kaye Spratt, Grand Erie Business Centre Chair. “This funding is testament to the value that this government places on our efforts.”
The Grand Erie Business Centre is one of 61 Community Futures Development Corporations in rural and Northern Ontario funded by FedNor’s Community Futures Program.
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
Mario Paluzzi
Communications Officer, FedNor
705-941-2064 or 1-877-333-6673