Ontario Invests In New Vision For Halton Hills

McGuinty Government Supports Local Economic Development Project

Ontario is helping the Town of Halton Hills stimulate economic development by promoting local agriculture and revitalizing its downtown.

The town will develop a community improvement plan that will:

• help increase the viability of agriculture in the immediate Greenbelt area
• encourage Halton Hills and the communities of Georgetown and Acton to enhance their historic town centres and develop in more compact, energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable ways.

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

"Thanks to this investment, the future just got brighter for farmers in Halton Hills," said Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Leona Dombrowsky. "This investment will go a long way toward supporting our farmers and revitalizing the historic towns of this vibrant community."

"This is a very exciting announcement for the Town of Halton Hills," said Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette. "The RED Grant is enabling the Town to proceed with our Community Improvement Plan to enhance our agricultural sector, strengthen the Acton and Georgetown historic core areas and promote the remediation and redevelopment of brownfield sites for appropriate infill and intensification opportunities. Our Community Improvement Program is an integral part of our strategy to build a more sustainable community and ensure that agriculture remains an integral part of the Town's character and economic base."

QUICK FACTS

• The province is investing $47,440 in this project through the Rural Economic Development Program.
• Since 2003, the Rural Economic Development Program has invested $71.4 million in 212 projects.
  

LEARN MORE

About the Town of Halton Hills.

Find out how you can revitalize your downtown.

About how Ontario is protecting the Greenbelt.

For more information, contact:

Sherry Persaud, Minister's Office, 416-326-6439
Brent Ross, Communications Branch, 416-326-9342