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FedNor announces dollars for downtown

It was announced yesterday that the city of Sault Ste. Marie will receive, from FedNor, $839,500 for downtown core revitalization measures, with another $252,000 to the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation (SSMEDC) for the establishment

It was announced yesterday that the city of Sault Ste. Marie will receive, from FedNor, $839,500 for downtown core revitalization measures, with another $252,000 to the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation (SSMEDC) for the establishment of a small business incubator in the Sault’s downtown. Local 2 cameras caught up with The Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources and the Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor), and MP Bryan Hayes following the announcement.

NEWS RELEASE

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The Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources and the Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor), today announced an investment that will support Northern Ontario youth and position small and medium-sized businesses for growth.

This Harper Government investment of $2,158,000 will support 30 youth internships across Northern Ontario, enable the City of Sault Ste. Marie to revitalize its downtown core with streetscape improvements, and assist the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation to establish and operate a small business incubator in the community’s downtown area.

In addition, Minister Rickford launched a new initiative to help more small and medium-sized enterprises in Northern Ontario benefit from the talent and skills offered by post-secondary graduates to support business growth.

The private sector youth internship initiative will be delivered through two Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) Networks, on behalf of CFDCs across Northern Ontario.

Quick Facts

The funding announced today is provided through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program, which supports projects that promote sustainable community economic development, enhance business development and growth, and facilitate innovation throughout the region.

Since 2006, through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program, the Government of Canada has invested more than $308 million in support of 1,500 projects. These investments have created more than 15,000 jobs throughout Northern Ontario.

Quotes

“Our Government is helping Northern Ontario communities and businesses maximize their potential by investing in key initiatives that create opportunities for youth, business growth, economic development and job creation. Today’s announcement will increase the competitiveness of entrepreneurs in Sault Ste. Marie and across the region, as well as strengthen the economy of Northern Ontario,” The Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for FedNor.

“Today’s announcement will not only assist a variety of small and medium-sized enterprises to complete a range of strategic initiatives with the help of youth interns, it will also retain talented, young post-secondary graduates in Northern Ontario, as well as help businesses to grow, create jobs and prosper, delivering positive results for the people who live and work in the region,” Bryan Hayes, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie.

“On behalf of all the funding recipients, I’d like to thank FedNor and Minister Rickford for their support of youth interns who provide organizations across the North with much sought-after skills. We recognize how important youth are to the vitality of our region. And on behalf of Sault Ste. Marie, we are excited about moving forward with two priority initiatives that will help address commercial vacancies in the downtown area and extend support services for sustainable business development,” Debbie Amaroso, Mayor, City of Sault Ste. Marie.


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