Rural Economic Development (RED) Program
News Release

For Immediate Release

December 9, 2005

Ontario Government Invests in

Rural Ontario Skills Enhancement, Economic Development

New Consumer Products Plant Will Create More Than 100 Jobs

Belleville - The Ontario government is supporting new jobs and skills development opportunities as part of a long-term economic expansion project in Belleville, Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, announced today.

"Our people are this province's greatest asset - Ontarians deserve to have every opportunity for employment and skills enhancement in their communities," Dombrowsky said. "Not only will this project help make our province a global leader in the consumer products industry, it will lead to more local job creation, training, research and development, and business investment. It's great news for Belleville, and great news for Ontario."

The government will contribute $2 million to the expansion of the Procter & Gamble Canada Belleville plant. Procter & Gamble Canada will build a new facility to develop new products that will create more than 100 direct new full-time and temporary jobs and approximately $25 million of new economic activity. Procter & Gamble is investing the remainder of project, which will total over $40 million.

"We are very pleased to make this critical investment in the Belleville Plant with the support of the provincial government," said Tim Penner, President of Procter & Gamble Canada. "This plant currently exports over 90 per cent of its products to 11 countries. Adding state-of-the-art technology, and expanding this already successful facility, will enable our Belleville employees to provide even better products for consumers across North America and worldwide."

"Procter & Gamble has been a longstanding partner and active contributor in the City of Belleville," said Belleville Mayor Mary-Anne Sills. "As they continue to grow, we look forward to attracting even more new economic activity which will improve the quality of life in our community."

"Eastern Ontario is an essential part of Ontario's economy because communities like Belleville have strong, committed people," said Ernie Parsons, MPP for Prince Edward-Hastings. "Partnerships like the one we are announcing today mean that eastern Ontario will have more opportunities for skilled jobs, prosperity and a high quality of life."

Today's investment was made through the Rural Economic Development (RED) program, which invests in projects that support sustainable rural economies and community partnerships - a key part of the government's plan for rural Ontario. Through the RED program, the Ontario government and its rural partners are building stronger communities that work better for the people who live in them. For more information about RED or Ontario's rural plan, visit www.mah.gov.on.ca .

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