For immediate release: October 30, 2006

Economic Development Project Supports Minto

Ontario Government Invests In Rural Ontario

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

"The McGuinty government is investing in economic development in Minto," said Dombrowsky. "This project will help the local economy by laying out a strategic plan for local economic development."

The government will contribute $14,400 to help the Town of Minto and its partners at the Minto Chamber of Commerce and the Saugeen Economic Development Corporation create a survey to generate short and long term business development goals. The project will lead to the creation of a business directory for Minto, in addition to the production of a report that will develop recommendations to help rejuvenate the local business community.

"We are grateful for the support of the provincial government on this project," said Belinda Wick, business and economic manager for the Town of Minto. "This project will help not only identify opportunities for business development, but will also create jobs and support existing businesses."

The McGuinty government is on the side of rural families. Other government initiatives that support a strong rural economy include:

• Creating an integrated One-Stop training and employment system that will ensure people in rural areas have better access to skills training and labour market services that are tailored to the needs of rural communities
  

• Recognizing the unique needs of rural schools with $260 million for school repairs, library books and transition programs
  

• Investing over $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.

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

Brent Ross
Communications Branch
416-326-9342

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