For immediate release: 17 August 2006

MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT INVESTS IN NEW LOOK
FOR DOWNTOWN BROCKVILLE
Downtown Revitalization To Boost Business, Jobs and Tourism

BROCKVILLE - The McGuinty government is helping develop a new look for downtown Brockville that will strengthen and refresh the city's core, Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced today.

"The McGuinty government's support for this project shows that we are on the side of families in rural Ontario," said Dombrowsky. "Revitalizing the downtown will attract new business, increase employment, increase the tax base and boost tourism for Brockville."

The government will contribute $16,200 to help the Downtown Brockville Board of Management develop a new brand for the downtown to provide an appealing and competitive retail environment. This new brand will improve the overall appearance of the downtown with new banners, new marketing material, a new website and new business recruitment materials that will distinctly define the downtown.

"We are happy with the support from the provincial government," said Rob Hunter, marketing director for the Downtown Brockville Board of Management. "This branding project builds upon recommendations from our strategic plan, and will create an active partnership between 311 business and property owners, the Downtown Brockville Board of Management and the City of Brockville."

"The downtown Brockville branding project is great news for the City of Brockville," said Ben TeKamp, mayor of the City of Brockville. "This project will build on the distinctive character of our community, and contribute to its economic health and vitality."

Other government initiatives for rural Ontario include:

• Investing over $22 million in rural communities through the Rural Economic Development Program
• Investing in rural health care, including 17 new community health centres and seven satellite CHCs that serve rural communities
• Helping farmers by providing $800 million over the past three years for farm income stabilization and support programs, including $125 million to help grain and oilseed farmers, horticulture farmers and livestock industry.

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.

- 30 -

Contacts:
Kelly Synnott
Minister's Office
416 326-6439

Brian Cardy
Rural Investments Branch
519 826-3787