Rural Economic Development (RED) Program

For Immediate Release
January 22, 2007

Province Invests in Brighton Beautification Project

BRIGHTON - The McGuinty government is investing in the rejuvenation of Brighton's downtown core, Lou Rinaldi, MPP for Northumberland announced today.

"The focus is on attracting new businesses to the area, creating and retaining jobs and strengthening the local economy," said Rinaldi. "Successful implementation of these strategies will help position Brighton as an attractive tourist destination, as well as a great place to live and do business."

The province will contribute $12,000 to support the development of a façade improvement plan for the downtown core, redesign of the municipality's website, improved signage and marketing and promotion material. These objectives were developed in response to a Business Retention and Expansion study undertaken by community partners in 2005.

"By increasing our marketing and promotional efforts, and preserving what makes our downtown community unique, we can attract both business investment and tourist dollars," said Chris Herrington, mayor of the Municipality of Brighton.

Other government initiatives to strengthen rural and smaller communities across Ontario include:

Investing more than $105 million in rural communities through the Rural Economic Development Program. Since October 2003, 94 projects have been approved. These projects will stimulate $174.2 million in new economic activity, generated from a $28.2 million investment by the province.

Creating the new Ministry of Small Business and Entrepreneurship to assist small and medium-sized businesses grow and succeed.

Creating an integrated One-Stop training and employment system that will ensure people in rural areas have better access to skills training and labour market services that are tailored to the needs of rural communities.

Today's investment was made through the Rural Economic Development (RED) Program, which invests in community-based projects that support sustainable rural economies in three priority areas: improved access to health care services, revitalized communities and downtowns, and enhanced skills training.

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. Since 2003, investments in infrastructure, postsecondary education, research and innovation and key economic sectors have strengthened Ontario's economic advantage and continue to build opportunity.

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