May 19, 2005

HARROWSMITH, Ontario, May 19, 2005 — The Honourable Peter Milliken, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands, welcomed the announcement made today by the Honourable Joe Comuzzi, Minister of State (FedNor), of Government of Canada support of $171,000 to the Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) to implement six Community Capacity projects under the Business Development component of the Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF).

The EODF is a $10 million Government of Canada initiative announced in May 2004.  It promotes socio-economic development in rural Eastern Ontario, contributes to the successful development of business and job opportunities and sustainable self-reliant communities, and will lead to a competitive and diversified regional economy.

“This funding enables the Frontenac CFDC to enhance the local tourism and agriculture sectors which play a vital role in contributing to the region’s economic prosperity,” said Mr. Milliken.  “These projects will foster business development and draw increased visitors to the area.”

The Frontenac CFDC is one of 61 CFDCs in rural and Northern Ontario funded by Industry Canada’s Community Futures Program through FedNor.  CFDCs deliver a wide variety of programs and services to support community economic development and small business growth.  They employ local staff and are each governed by a volunteer board of directors, made up of local residents representative of the community.

“ We can now build on existing strengths in our economy to create jobs and generate increased revenue for regional businesses,” said Ryan Seeds, Chair of the Frontenac CFDC.

Through the EODF, the Government of Canada is acting on its commitment to support economic growth and diversification in rural communities.

Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2005 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.

To find out more about Ontario CFDCs, visit http://cfdc-ontario.ic.gc.ca

For more information, please contact:

Graeme Wilkes
Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Joe Comuzzi
(613) 947-5850

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