For Immediate Release
August 16, 2007

McGuinty Government Supports Brighter

Future For Smooth Rock Falls

Community To Implement Strategic Plan Objectives

SMOOTH ROCK FALLS - The McGuinty government is investing in the next steps of Smooth Rock Falls' strategic plan, Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, announced today.

"The Ontario government is pleased to invest in this very important project to promote community driven initiatives," said Dombrowsky. "This will mean new services to the community, job creation and economic development to help ensure Smooth Rock Falls enjoys a healthy and prosperous future."

The province will contribute $238,500 to help the Town of Smooth Rock Falls and its partner, the Smooth Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce, hire a professional community development coordinator to move projects identified in the strategic plan to the next stage. These include a retirement facility, hotel, and industrial plants.

"The commitment that the Ontario government has made to this community will help us promote Smooth Rock Falls as a business and tourism destination in the province," said Mayor Kevin Somer. "Initiatives that will develop new industries in the town, and enhance current ones, will go a long way to making the implementation of our Smooth Rock Falls Community Development Corporation (SRFCDC) strategic plan, a reality.

This is just one more example of how, working together, Ontarians have achieved results in northern Ontario. Other examples include:

  • Improving northern highways by investing more than $1.8 billion over five years in highway expansions and improvements through the Northern Highways Strategy
  • Investing in northern health care - this year, a $15-million investment will help reduce wait times in the northwest and northeast Local Health Integration Networks, and expand and improve hospitals in North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sioux Lookout, Thunder Bay and Sudbury
  • Making available more than $1 billion over five years in assistance for the forestry industry.

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 province has invested $33.1 million in 119 projects, representing a total investment of $204.9 million in rural Ontario, since 2003. The Ontario government and its partners are building strong rural communities that work better for the people who live in them.


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

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