McGuinty government Invests in Whitchurch-Stouffville

Project Will Help Local Businesses Compete And Could Mean New Jobs

Stouffville -- The McGuinty government is investing in a project that will encourage the growth and stability of local business in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, announced today.

"The McGuinty government recognizes the importance of local businesses to the overall strength of a community," said Dombrowsky. "This project will strengthen the local economy by increasing business development and creating new job opportunities throughout the Region of York."

The government will contribute $20,000 to help the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville and its project partner, the Regional Municipality of York, conduct surveys on the following business sectors: manufacturing, distribution, home-based, tourism, retail, commercial and business. They will develop a comprehensive economic strategy with an action plan. This project will help to improve the competitiveness of local businesses, increase business development and may create jobs.

"This project is an important component of Council's economic development program that will see a full economic development strategy developed next year," said Sue Sherban, Mayor of the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville. "We appreciate the collaborative support from the provincial government, Chamber of Commerce, Business Improvement Area and York Region."

Other initiatives that help families in rural Ontario include:

• Investing an additional $185 million in rural Ontario with $110 million going directly to farmers and $75 million for rural infrastructure

• Contributing $298 million to the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) over five years to improve and renew public infrastructure. The federal government is matching this commitment

• Investing more than $26 million in rural communities through the Rural Economic Development Program.

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.omafra.gov.on.ca.