Rural Economic Development (RED) Program
News Release

For Immediate Release August 28, 2007

McGuinty Government Supports Community Revitalization in Cornwall

Investment Will Create New Jobs and Attract More Visitors to Downtown Area

CORNWALL - The McGuinty government is investing in a downtown revitalization project that will boost Cornwall's business and tourism activity and generate an estimated 100 new jobs for the community Jim Brownell, MPP for Stormont-Dundas-Charlottenburgh announced today on behalf of Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

"Our government is committed to working with local communities to enhance their economic and cultural enrichment opportunities," said Brownell. "By investing in Cornwall's Heart of the City project, we are helping to implement some of the community improvement policies set out in the City's Official Plan. This will generate new jobs and new opportunities for local residents and businesses."

The province is supporting the project with a $137,000 contribution to Cornwall's Heart of the City (a committee of the Downtown Business Improvement Association) and its partners, the City of Cornwall, Le Village Business Improvement Association, and the Chamber of Commerce.

The funding will help the community conduct feasibility studies to establish the location of a museum and examine the potential use of a solar energy system in the downtown area. It will also help identify architectural, parking and landscaping improvement opportunities.

"The City of Cornwall and Heart of The City are pleased with the support of the provincial government," said Bryan Merkley, past chair of Heart of the City and Downtown BIA. "This project assists the completion of Heart of the City's Vision which George Assaly Lane exemplifies."

This is just one more example of how, working together, Ontarians have achieved results in rural Ontario. Other examples include:

• Providing $472 million in 2007 to rural municipalities through the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund
  
• Providing an additional $70 million for the Rural Infrastructure Investment Initiative. This means a total of $140 million will be available for improvements to water systems, roads, bridges, and other priorities
• Launching the $12.5 million 'Pick Ontario Freshness" strategy to support local promotions and commodity-specific programs by building interest in all Ontario foods and raising general consumer awareness and demand for Ontario foods in stores and in restaurants.

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 province has invested $45.1 million in 139 projects, representing a total investment of $477.4 million in rural Ontario, since 2003. The Ontario government and its partners are building strong rural communities that work better for the people who live in them.

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Contacts:
Kelly Synnott
Minister's Office
416-326-6439

Brent Ross
Communications Branch
416-326-9342

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For more information:
Toll Free: 1-888-588-4111
Fax:1-519-826-4336
Email: red.omafra@ontario.ca