Rural Economic Development (RED) Program
News Release

For Immediate Release February 10, 2006

Ontario Government Supports Community Revitalization in East Gwillimbury

Invests In Business Retention And Expansion Project

Queen's Park -- The Ontario government is supporting community revitalization by investing in a plan to promote business and economic growth in East Gwillimbury, Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced today.

"The McGuinty government is committed to working with rural Ontario to provide the tools to thrive," said Dombrowsky. "This announcement supports our government's rural plan and will help improve the quality of life for local residents."

The government is investing $12,500 to help the Town of East Gwillimbury, the East Gwillimbury Chamber of Commerce and the South Lake Community Futures Development Corporation develop a Business Retention and Expansion strategy. The project will involve interviews with local businesses to identify new opportunities for economic expansion.

"We are pleased that the Ontario government has chosen to support this project for our Town," said James Young, mayor of East Gwillimbury. "This plan will promote an integrated approach to economic development and increase communication between the Town and our business community. Together we will identify opportunities for increasing the competitiveness and expansion of our existing businesses, strengthening our Town's identity as an ideal place for businesses to locate."

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

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