June 21, 2006

Prescott, Ontario, June 21, 2006 — Leeds-Grenville MP, Gord Brown, on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health and Minister for FedNor, today announced Government of Canada funding of $870,000 to the Grenville Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) to support the organization’s operations for the next three years.

“Small businesses are the economic cornerstone of our rural communities,” said Mr. Brown.  “The Grenville CFDC plays a vital role in supporting this important sector of our economy.”

“Canada’s new government supports the efforts of CFDCs to foster economic growth, job creation, and self-reliant communities,” commented Minister Clement.

The Grenville Community Futures Development Corporation will use the funding to provide services to support local economic development and small business growth, including:

• access to capital
• business services
• strategic community planning and development

In the last five years, Ontario CFDCs have provided loans and business counselling to help the small business sector create or maintain 27,000 jobs. Last year, the Grenville CFDC invested $835,000 and assisted in creating or maintaining 108 jobs, contributing to an enhanced business community.

“We are dedicated to helping this region grow and this funding will allow us to continue to fulfill our mandate,” said Lisa Taylor, Chair of the Grenville CFDC.

The Grenville CFDC is one of 61 Community Futures Development Corporations in rural and Northern Ontario funded by Industry Canada's Community Futures Program, through FedNor.

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

Robert Naud
Senior Communications Officer, FedNor
(613) 954-3691 or 1 877 333-6673