February 18, 2005

ALLISTON, Ontario, February 18, 2005 — The Honourable Andy Mitchell, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, on behalf of the Honourable Joe Comuzzi, Minister of State (FedNor), today announced Industry Canada/FedNor funding of $300,000 to the Nottawasaga Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC).  Of this amount, $250,000 will be allocated to the organization’s on-going operations for one year.  The remaining $50,000 is being provided through Industry Canada’s Innovation and Knowledge-Based Economy Initiative in support of a wind energy conference.

The Nottawasaga Community Futures Development Corporation is one of 61 CFDCs in rural and Northern Ontario funded by Industry Canada’s Community Futures Program through FedNor.  It employs local staff and is governed by a volunteer board of directors, made up of local residents representative of the community.

“Since its inception in 2003, the Nottawasaga CFDC has made impressive in-roads in the areas of community economic development and small business growth,” said Minister Mitchell.  “The Government of Canada is proud of its partnership with this grassroots organization.”

On February 19 and 20, 2005, the Nottawasaga CFDC, in partnership with the Community Futures Development Corporation of Perth County, will be hosting an important conference in Alliston on wind energy.  National and international experts will provide comprehensive information on wind energy as an ecologically sustainable source of power with a specific focus on rural areas.  Presenters will bring expertise that is based on successful wind projects in Ontario, Alberta, as well as Denmark and Holland.  Up to 250 people are expected to attend.

Information will also be delivered on how to evaluate the feasibility of applying wind energy technology, sources of funding, the regulatory process, development of business plans, and examples of both corporate and co-operative models.  The conference will include presentations on the requirements for establishing a wind generation operation.  Experts will be available to meet with local business and organizations to address their questions or concerns.

“The Government of Canada is committed to investing in projects that help rural communities become more self-sustaining,” added Minister Mitchell.  “In today’s economy, it is vital to look at how emerging technologies can help reduce costs and create economic development opportunities.”

“This funding empowers our community to pursue its economic development goals,” said Lynne Woodcock, Chair of the Nottawasaga CFDC.  “The wind energy conference is a good example of how our organization can promote new technology as a way to increase employment opportunities and provide economic stability for our region.”

Funding for this initiative was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.

To find out more about Ontario’s 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