For immediate release: October 27, 2006

McGuinty Government Invests In Shelburne

Project Will Strengthen Local Economy

Shelburne - The McGuinty government is investing in a project that will help the Town of Shelburne build a stronger and more competitive rural economy, Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs, announced today.

"The McGuinty government is supporting rural Ontario's families through initiatives such as this in Shelburne," said Dombrowsky. "This project will strengthen the local economy by establishing and implementing a strategic plan for local economic development."

The government will contribute $10,000 to help the Town of Shelburne collect data to create a business inventory and promote an integrated approach to economic development and improve business and community competitiveness.

"We are pleased with the support of the provincial government on this project," said Ed Crewson mayor of the Town of Shelburne. "This project will not only help increase the competitiveness of local establishments, but will also help increase business development and job creation."

Other government initiatives that support a strong rural economy include:

• Investing $520 million in the Ontario Ethanol Growth Fund to expand ethanol production in Ontario
  

• Investing in rural health care, including 17 new community health centres and seven satellite CHC's that serve rural communities
  

• Investing more than $26 million in rural communities through the Rural Economic Development (RED) Program.

Today's investment was made through the 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.

Contacts:
Christopher Flavelle
Minister's Office
416-326-3072

Dave McLeod
Communications Branch
519-826-3198