For Immediate Release
January 15, 2007

Ontario Invests In Sustainable Energy Plan

Milverton Receives Funding for Lakewind Community Power Project

MILVERTON - The McGuinty government is investing in the development of a strategic plan for building sustainable wind energy projects in rural Ontario, John Wilkinson, MPP for Perth-Middlesex, announced today.

"A new source of income for rural Ontario will be providing green, clean renewable energy for urban Ontario. Countryside Energy Co-op is on the leading edge of ensuring that the economic benefits accrue right here in rural Ontario," said John Wilkinson, MPP Perth-Middlesex.

The province will contribute $370,268 to develop the Lakewind Community Power Project, which is being led by Countryside Energy Co-operative Inc. and TREC WindShare Co-operative (No. 2) Inc.

The Lakewind Community Power Project will work with existing community partners to develop a strategic plan for building sustainable wind energy projects in rural Ontario. Project organizers will use the information gathered during the project to produce a "Community Leaders Guide to Renewable Energy". This guide could be used by others who are looking at locally-owned energy generation as an economic development tool.

"The development of community-owned sustainable energy sources will strengthen our rural economy by providing jobs and attracting investment to the area," said Doug Fyfe, general manager of Countryside Energy Co-operative. "We hope this initiative will be the first step in the development of many similar co-operative projects across Ontario."

Other government initiatives to strengthen rural and smaller communities across Ontario include:

• Investing $32 million in the construction of new ethanol plants, which will provide jobs, economic opportunities, new markets for farmers, and cleaner air for all Ontarians. The funding is part of the $520-million Ontario Ethanol Growth Fund, which will also provide operating grants worth up to $60 million annually for the new plants in Hensall and Aylmer, as well as existing facilities in Chatham and Collingwood.

• Investing more than $105 million in rural communities through the Rural Economic Development Program. Since October 2003, 94 projects have been approved. These projects will stimulate $174.2 million in new economic activity, generated from a $28.2 million investment by the province.

• Committing more than $200 million to rural communities, to help improve bridges, roads, solid waste management facilities, water and wastewater treatment facilities, as well as to revitalize economies, enhance local skills and increase access to health care services.

Today's investment was made through the Rural Economic Development (RED) Program, which invests in community-based projects that support sustainable rural economies in three priority areas: improved access to health care services, revitalized communities and downtowns, and enhanced skills training.

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. Since 2003, investments in infrastructure, postsecondary education, research and innovation and key economic sectors have strengthened Ontario's economic advantage and continue to build opportunity.

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

Brent Ross
OMAFRA Communications Branch
416-326-9342

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