For Immediate Release
February 7, 2008

MAKING INGERSOLL MORE ATTRACTIVE FOR INVESTORS

McGuinty Government Helping Town Set Economic Development Goals

INGERSOLL - The Town of Ingersoll is developing a strategic plan for future growth with help from the Ontario government.

The province is providing $4,000 for a study that will assess the current business climate in both the retail and industrial sectors, with a long-term goal of improving the community's competitive advantage.

"This project is the first step in encouraging growth and stability in Ingersoll businesses and will help boost the local economy," said Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. "In the long term, new jobs could be created for the community to help build a more prosperous rural Ontario."

"This project will help us develop plans that will ensure growth is in our community's future," said James Timlin, chief administrative officer for The Corporation of the Town of Ingersoll."

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 $46.7 million in 144 projects, representing a total investment of $478.2 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