Business Retention and Expansion Initiative

Strengthens Frontenac County Economy

McGuinty Government Invests In Frontenac County

Glenburnie -- The McGuinty government is investing in a business retention and expansion project that will help Frontenac County build a stronger and more competitive rural community, Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs and MPP for Hastings- Frontenac-Lennox and Addington, announced today.

"The McGuinty government is supporting rural Ontario through initiatives such as this in Frontenac County," said Dombrowsky. "This project will strengthen the local economy by developing the first investment attraction strategy for the county."

The government will contribute $15,420 to help the County of Frontenac develop a business retention and expansion project. The project will separately survey each of the tourist operations, farm and agriculture operations, artists, base industries and home-based sectors to help in the development of a strategic plan for addressing local economic development needs.

"We are pleased with the support of the provincial government on this project," said Dianna Bratina, manager of economic development for the County of Frontenac. "This project represents the first major step in our community-based approach to economic development and capacity building, and the results are essential for the development of a realistic investment attraction strategy for the county."

Other government initiatives that support a strong rural economy include:

• Investing $520 million in the Ontario Ethanol Growth Fund to expand ethanol production in Ontario

• Investing in rural health care, including 17 new community health centres and seven satellite CHC's that serve rural communities

• Investing over $26 million in rural communities through the Rural Economic Development (RED) Program.

Today's investment was made through the 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.omafra.gov.on.ca.