For immediate release: 26 July 2006
Ontario Invests in Jobs, Prosperity for Sault Ste. Marie
McGuinty Government On The Side Of Northerners
SAULT STE. MARIE - The McGuinty government is investing in Northern
jobs and prosperity by supporting a plan to strengthen and diversify the
economy of Sault Ste. Marie and neighbouring Northern communities, David
Orazietti, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie announced today.
"Our government's contribution through the Rural Economic Development
Program means continued support for the Destiny Sault Ste. Marie Economic
Diversification Strategy," said Orazietti. "We have made outstanding
progress in health, education and in improving the local economy in the
past several years with much more growth and development on the horizon."
The government will contribute $150,000 to the Community Development
Corporation of Sault Ste. Marie & Area, and the City of Sault Ste.
Marie to help complete business models for community economic development
priorities already identified through the diversification strategy.
"We are pleased with the support of the provincial government for
our project," said Brian Irwin, executive director of the Community
Development Corporation of Sault Ste. Marie & Area and member of the
project steering committee. "This project will allow us to build
on our very successful Destiny Sault Ste. Marie Economic Diversification
Strategy."
"This provincial support strengthens our ten-year plan, now in its
fifth year, to diversify our community," said John Rowswell, Mayor
of the City of Sault Ste. Marie. "This plan will help address some
important economic opportunities for our community including those in
information technology, energy, health and transportation. It will also
address the independent operation of Science Enterprise Algoma, and the
establishment of an Invasive Alien Species Centre in Sault Ste. Marie."
Other government initiatives for Northern Ontario include:
- A $1.8 billion investment over five years in upgraded and expanded
Northern highways
- Enhanced tourism by making the largest single Northern Ontario Heritage
Fund Corporation investment of $15 million towards the Sault Major Destination
Project, to enhance tourism in Sault Ste. Marie
- Investing $14 million in tourism marketing and in sports, culture
and tourism infrastructure initiatives in Northern Ontario.
Today's investment was made through the Rural Economic Development (RED)
Program, which invests in projects that support sustainable rural economies
and community partnerships - a key part of the government's plan for rural
Ontario.
Through the RED program, the Ontario government and its rural partners
are building stronger communities that work better for the people who
live in them.
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Contacts:
Christopher Flavelle
Minister's Office
416-326-3072
Brian Cardy
Rural Investments Branch
519-826-3787
