Rural Economic Development (RED) Program
News Release

For Immediate Release September 7, 2007

McGuinty Government Supports Economic Development Study

Film and Television Production Studio Would Create Jobs, Investment In Eastern Ontario

LOYALIST TOWNSHIP - The McGuinty government is supporting economic growth in eastern Ontario by providing funds to develop a master plan for a state-of-the-art film and television studio, Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced today.

"This project would expand tourism in this area and boost the local economy," said Dombrowsky. "In the long term new jobs could be created for the community."

The province will contribute $123,000 to help assess the requirements for Island View Development. This film and television production facility would include several large free standing stages and a premium resort with condominiums and a hotel. When completed, the development would create jobs and boost local tourism.

"We are pleased with the support of the provincial government," said Clayton McEwen, reeve of Loyalist Township. "This project will help us build a major new economic resource in our community."

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

• Recognizing the unique needs of rural schools by increasing funding by $2,329 per student as of 2007-08
• Providing $472 million in 2007 to rural municipalities through the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund
• Launching Employment Ontario, a new integrated training and employment system that will ensure people in rural areas have better access to skills training and labour market services tailored to the needs of rural communities. Employment Ontario provides seamless coordinated training, apprenticeship and labour market services, bringing together almost 1200 service providers in all regions of the province.

Today's investment was made through the Rural Economic Development 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 $45.2 million in 140 projects, representing a total investment of $478 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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