For Immediate Release
August 29, 2007

McGuinty Government Invests In Thorndale Revitalization Project

New Strategy Will Upgrade The Look Of Downtown Thorndale

THORNDALE - The McGuinty government is investing in the Thorndale Downtown Revitalization project, Steve Peters, MPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London, announced today on behalf of Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

"On behalf of the Ontario government, I am pleased to be a part of this very important project that will inject a new vitality into Thorndale's downtown," said Peters. "The addition of trees, crosswalks and welcoming signage will help to create an inviting atmosphere, not only for the community, but visitors as well."

The province will contribute $53,000 to help the Thorndale Revitalization Committee and its partner, the Municipality of Thames Centre, to implement the Thorndale Downtown Revitalization initiative.

"The Thorndale Revitalization Committee would like to thank the Government of Ontario for their generous support of our downtown revitalization project," said Ralph Stephen, chair of the committee. "The changes that we will make to our community's core will not only improve the look of it, but will also contribute to a more vibrant Thorndale that will help attract business and tourism to the area."

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

  • Providing an additional $70 million for the Rural Infrastructure Investment Initiative. This means a total of $140 million will be available for improvements to water systems, roads, bridges and other priorities
  • Providing $472 million in 2007 to rural municipalities through the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund
  • Providing $12.5 million to the new Pick Ontario Freshness marketing strategy, which includes a consumer awareness campaign designed to increase interest and demand for local foods across the province, expands the Foodland Ontario program to more fresh food products and boosts the Savour Ontario program in fine dining and vacation establishments.

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 $45.1 million in 139 projects, representing a total investment of $477.4 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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Contacts:
Kelly Synnott
Minister's Office
416-326-6439

Brent Ross
Communications Branch
416-326-9342

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