June 23, 2008

LINDSAY, Ontario, June 23, 2008 — The Government of Canada is continuing to support the growth and success of communities and small businesses in rural Eastern Ontario through an investment in the Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC).

A federal contribution of $900,000 was announced today by Barry Devolin, Member of Parliament for Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock, on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health and Minister for FedNor.  The funding will support the ongoing operations of the Kawartha Lakes CFDC over the next three years.

“This CFDC is a vital contributor to the economic prosperity of the Kawartha Lakes region and Eastern Ontario as a whole,” said Mr. Devolin.  “The Government of Canada contribution of $900,000 will allow this not-for-profit corporation to continue meeting the needs of local small and medium-sized business clients throughout the area.”

As reaffirmed in Budget 2008, the Government of Canada is making investments in people, knowledge, modern infrastructure and a sound and efficient financial sector to provide the foundation for local people and companies to succeed locally, and in the global economy.

The Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corporation provides services to enhance local economic development and small business growth, including access to capital, business counselling, community-based projects, strategic community planning and socio-economic development.

Through its investment fund, the CFDC has invested more than $1.6 million in small and medium-sized businesses in the region over the past year.  This funding has resulted in the creation or maintenance of 209 full and part-time jobs, and contributed to an enhanced business community.

“We are proud of our leadership role in community economic development in our area and we look forward to continuing in that capacity for many more years to come,” said John Bennett, Chair of the Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corporation.  “We certainly appreciate the faith Minister Clement and FedNor continue to show in us.”

The Kawartha Lakes 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:

Laryssa Waler
Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
613-957-0200

Mario Paluzzi
Communications Officer, FedNor
705-941-2064 or 1-877-333-6673