For immediate release: 03 August 2006

BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION INITIATIVE WILL BENEFIT RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
McGuinty Government Invests In South Huron

EXETER - The McGuinty government is helping to forge a strong and progressive business environment in South Huron, Carol Mitchell, MPP for Huron-Bruce announced today on behalf of Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs.

"I am proud that the McGuinty government could support this important project to create a more vibrant business climate, and help promote economic growth and development," said Mitchell. "It's great to see so many project partners plan and work together for the benefit of our rural community. This business retention and expansion project will help create a more vibrant business climate and help promote economic growth and development."

The government will contribute $29,500 to help the South Huron Alliance for Retention and Expansion Project (SHARE) develop a Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) project for South Huron. The project will include all sectors of the community and provide an opportunity to address barriers to business expansion that may currently exist. This project will help in the creation of an up-to-date business inventory and help create a long term marketing plan for the local community.

"This project will identify barriers and possible 'red flag' issues to business growth and identify opportunities, said Hugh McMaster, BR+E Advisor to the South Huron Chamber of Commerce. "The result should be a more vibrant business climate and economic growth."

Other government initiatives that demonstrate the McGuinty government is on the side of families in rural Ontario include:

• Investing in rural health care, including 17 new community health centres and seven satellite CHC's that serve rural communities
• Reducing the pressure on property taxes by picking up more of the tab for land ambulance and public health
  
• Investing over $22 million in rural communities through the Rural Economic Development Program.

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