Investing In Company Expansion, Supporting Jobs In Manitoulin - McGuinty Government Strengthens Agri-Food Industry, Supports Local Food

Burt Farm Country Meats, a Manitoulin Island meat processing operation, is expanding and supporting farmers and providing local foods for Ontario families.

With support from Ontario's Rural Economic Development Program, Burt Farm Country Meats is installing new, automated processing equipment that will help the company expand production and its workforce. In addition to providing more local meats to consumers, the upgrades will also help the company provide processing opportunities to other local beef, pork, lamb and poultry producers.

A strong agri-food industry is part of the McGuinty government's plan to create jobs and opportunities that will boost the province's economy.

QUOTES

"Our government is proud to support small, local abattoirs and meat plants like Burt Farm Country Meats because they are committed to providing us with fresh, local, quality meats each and every day. By giving our small meat processors the tools they need to expand and succeed, we're strengthening Ontario's agri-food industry, growing our economy and supporting local food."
- Carol Mitchell, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

"Ontario's abattoirs and meat processors continue to be key contributors to successful local economies and a strong agri-food sector. This investment is growing the market for Burt Farm Country Meats and creating new opportunities for our local farmers."
- Mike Brown, MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin

QUICK FACTS

• Ontario has invested over $167 million in 412 projects through the Rural Economic Development Program and generated more than $1.2 billion in new economic activity.
• The agri-food industry contributes more than $33 billion to the Ontario economy and employs about 700,000 people.
• In June, Ontario had an increase of more than 40,000 jobs and the unemployment rate declined to 7.7 percent.
  

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