March 18, 2009
BEAMSVILLE, Ontario, March 18, 2009 — Today, Dean Allison, Member of Parliament for Niagara West—Glanbrook, 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 Southwestern Ontario.
The Venture Niagara Community Futures Development Corporation offers business services, access to capital for small and medium-sized business, and support for community development projects. The Government of Canada’s investment through FedNor’s Community Futures Program will support these services for a one-year period. An additional investment in support of the Southwest Regional Network will foster networking, professional development, collaborative marketing initiatives and the sharing of best practices among the Community Futures Development Corporations in the region.
“This Government recognizes that small business drives the economy in rural communities,” said Mr. Allison, Member of Parliament for Niagara West—Glanbrook. “Our contributions will enable the Venture Niagara Community Futures Development Corporation and the Community Futures organizations throughout the Southwest region to continue to play a pivotal role in supporting this important sector of our economy.”
“These investments support small business development and growth in the region,” said Minister Clement. “Our government recognizes the outstanding contributions of Community Futures Development Corporations here in Southwestern Ontario and across the province.”
“We are grateful for the continued support from FedNor for our operations and the Southwest Regional Network,” said Douglas Johnson, Chair of Venture Niagara CFDC. “We are proud of our leadership and collaborative roles to promote economic development in the communities we serve.”
The Government of Canada is contributing $320,000 through FedNor’s Community Futures Program to Venture Niagara Community Futures Development Corporation and $37,200 to Enterprise Brant for Southwest Regional Network activities. To find out more about Ontario’s Community Futures Development Corporations, visit: http://ic.gc.ca/cfdc-ontario
For more information, please contact:
Pema Lhalungpa
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