Caledonia Plans for Business Investment

September 18, 2008

NEWS

Ontario is helping the Caledonia Regional Chamber of Commerce develop a strategic plan to help retain and expand businesses.

The province is investing $17,000 to help the Chamber and its partners craft a strategic action plan to respond to the results of a survey conducted amongst 92 businesses in Caledonia and the surrounding community. The funding will help retain the services of a full-time project coordinator to help improve communication between the local community and businesses, liaise with other levels of government, promote business retention and expansion and help businesses create and retain jobs in Caledonia.

The funding is part of the Rural Economic Development Program which invests in community-based projects in three priority areas:

• Improved access to health care services.
• Revitalized communities and downtowns.
• Enhanced skills training.

QUOTES

"This new strategic action plan will help increase competitiveness of local businesses while also helping create and retain jobs. This investment is part of the McGuinty government's plan to build stronger and more prosperous rural communities" said Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

"Our community can now begin to address the concerns of businesses in Caledonia and the surrounding area," said Caledonia Regional Chamber of Commerce President Maureen Thomson. "This project will help us develop a plan to not only retain local businesses, but also increase business investment in the area."

QUICK FACTS

• Since 2003, Ontario has invested $60.1 million in 183 projects through the Rural Economic Development Program.

LEARN MORE

Find out more about the Caledonia Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Learn more about how Ontario is helping small business.

For more information contact:
Sherry Persaud, Minister's Office, 416-326-6439
Brent Ross, Communications Branch, 416-326-9342