February 23, 2007
HUNTSVILLE, Ontario, February 23, 2007 — Parry Sound–Muskoka MP, the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health and Minister for FedNor, today announced a FedNor investment of just over $1.1M to the Muskoka Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) to support local initiatives and provide the organization with operational funding for the next three years.
“Small and medium-sized businesses are the heart and soul of our Northern communities,” said Minister Clement. “Canada’s New Government is getting things done for the families and taxpayers of Parry Sound – Muskoka by supporting local businesses and creating jobs in our communities.”
As part of today’s announcement, the Muskoka CFDC will receive $885,000 in operational funding to provide services that support local economic development and small business growth, including access to capital, business services, and strategic community planning and development. Of the remaining funds, $150,000 will support smaller community-based projects; $51,020 will further develop “Savour Muskoka,” an initiative designed to promote the culinary experience in the region; and $27,500 will enable the Muskoka CFDC to hire a FedNor Youth Intern to coordinate community development initiatives.
Over the last year, the Muskoka CFDC provided loans and business counselling activities to help the small business sector create or maintain 38 jobs in the region.
“We proudly stand by our mandate of promoting the sustainable economic growth of Muskoka into the future,” said Jan Lucy, Chair, Muskoka CFDC. “Today’s announcement will allow us to not only renew that commitment, but it also ensures that our clients and stakeholders will continue to receive the high quality services they have come to expect.”
The Muskoka CFDC 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
Barclay Babcock
Communications Officer, FedNor
705-671-0715 or 1-877-333-6673