For immediate release: November 3, 2006

McGuinty Government Supports
Tourism Promotion In Land O'Lakes Region

Marketing and Re-Branding Campaign Will Help Attract Tourists

Napenee - The McGuinty government is investing in tourism marketing and re-branding initiatives for the Land O'Lakes region, Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and MPP for Hastings-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington, announced today.

"This project demonstrates the McGuinty government's commitment to families in rural Ontario," said Dombrowsky. "We are helping to bring more tourists to the Land O'Lakes region, strengthening the economy and creating more opportunity for the people who live here."

The government will contribute $309,000 to help the Land O'Lakes Tourist Association, the County of Lennox and Addington, the Corporation of the Township of Frontenac Islands, the Corporation of the Township of South Frontenac, the Corporation of the Township of Central Frontenac, the Kingston Economic Development Corporation, and the Napanee and District Chamber of Commerce to develop a marketing strategy in support of the Land O'Lakes brand. This community partnership project will help promote activities and commerce throughout the region that will encourage area residents and visitors to experience the region in all seasons. The project will also unify the region's marketing and re-branding campaign.

"Our marketing and re-branding strategy is to promote a broader range of outdoor activities throughout the Land O' Lakes region," said Terry Shea, general manager of the Land O' Lakes Tourist Association. "Thanks to the support of the provincial government, re-branding will encourage area residents and visitors from nearby communities to experience the natural beauty of the region with frequent day-trips, while reinforcing the reality that the Land O' Lakes tourist region is a great vacation destination."

Other government initiatives that support rural Ontario include:

• Investing $400 million this year for road and bridge repair and upgrading, with an emphasis on rural and northern municipalities
• Investing in rural health care, including 17 new community health centres and seven satellite CHC's that serve rural communities
• Investing over $26 million in rural communities through the Rural Economic Development (RED) 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

Brent Ross
Communications Branch
416-326-9342