April 18, 2008
WALPOLE ISLAND, Ontario — The Government of Canada is continuing to support the growth and success of First Nations communities and small businesses through an investment in the local Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) known as the Tecumseh Community Development Corporation.
A federal contribution of $297,500 to the CFDC, through FedNor, was announced today by Bev Shipley, Member of Parliament for Lambton–Kent–Middlesex, Patricia Davidson, Member of Parliament for Sarnia–Lambton, Larry Miller, Member of Parliament for Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound, and Dave Van Kesteren, Member of Parliament for Chatham–Kent–Essex, on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health and Minister for FedNor. The funding will support the ongoing operations of the Tecumseh Community Development Corporation over the next year.
“The Community Futures Program is a key tool in our government’s commitment to build strong, self-reliant communities in rural Ontario and the Tecumseh Community Development Corporation is a vital contributor to those efforts,” said Mr. Shipley.
“Today’s funding illustrates the value our government places on the contributions made by small and medium-sized businesses to ensure the economic vitality of First Nations throughout the region,” stated Ms. Davidson.
“Now in its 15th year of operation, the Tecumseh Community Development Corporation does a tremendous job of serving 10 First Nations communities as well as entrepreneurs living off reserve in an area from Windsor to Woodstock and north to the Bruce Peninsula," said Mr. Miller.
“This announcement demonstrates our Government’s commitment to provide communities in rural Ontario with the tools they need to help grow the economy and create jobs,” added Mr. Van Kesteren.
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 global success.
The Tecumseh Community Development Corporation provides services to enhance local economic development and small business growth, including: access to capital, business counselling, community-based projects, and strategic community planning and socio-economic development.
Over the last year, the CFDC invested more than $680,000 in small and medium-sized businesses in the region, resulting in the creation or maintenance of 141 full and part-time jobs, and contributing to an enhanced business community.
“We are proud of our leadership role in community economic development for the First Nations residents and businesses we serve,” said Caroline Ortiz, Chair of the Tecumseh Community Development Corporation. “This funding reinforces the importance that the Government of Canada places on our work and we are grateful for the faith it continues to show in us.”
The Tecumseh Community Development Corporation 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