OWEN SOUND – Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker is pleased with a local investment of $271,582.30 in eight projects through the Rural Economic Development Program (RED).

“I’m thrilled to see our government is moving forward with projects to help rural communities in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound attract investment, create jobs and boost economic development,” said Walker. “As we continue down the path of economic recovery, these investments will provide big boosts in our local communities.”

Projects receiving funding include:

1. a) Municipality of Arran-Elderslie – Paisley Foundry Chimney Refurbishment – $5,490

1. b) Town of Hanover – Attraction and retention of workers/immigrants/youth – $33,500

651. c) Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation – Rehabilitation of cultural, heritage of tourism attractions – $72,651.60

1. d) County of Grey – Redevelopment of vacant and/or underutilized buildings – $58,500

207. e) City of Owen Sound – Streetscaping and landscaping – $18,207.10

1. f) Launch Pad Youth Activity and Technology Centre – Pre-employment Training Program expansion – $42,500

1. g) Municipality of West Grey – Entrepreneurship/business succession – $23,000

733. h) Township of Southgate – Streetscaping and landscaping – $17,733.60

* Note: more project details available below

The Ontario government is committing $3.3 million in cost-share funding to 58 projects through the updated RED to help rural and Indigenous communities diversify their economies, retain skilled workers, invest in local infrastructure, and create jobs.

“Supporting local jobs and removing barriers to investment and economic growth in rural communities is more important than ever,” said Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ernie Hardeman. “As the economy reopens, our investments in the Rural Economic Development program will have a very real impact for communities across rural Ontario.”

“Local municipalities and other organizations are already doing outstanding work in developing our rural and small-town economy,” Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Randy Pettapiece said. “I’m very pleased the province is doing its part to support them.”

These initiatives are part of the 58 successful projects receiving funding from the first intake of the updated RED program. Project applications to the RED program were subjected to a streamlined process starting last year to reduce the burden for applicants.

Supporting renewal, growth and economic recovery in rural and Indigenous communities is part of the government’s plan to get every region of Ontario back on track so they can create jobs, opportunity, and prosperity for everyone.

QUICK FACTS

• Municipalities, not-for-profit entities, Ontario Indigenous communities/organizations, or local services boards are eligible for the Rural Economic Development program and costs are shared according to which of the two streams under which the project may fall.

• The RED program offers two project streams:
  • Economic Diversification and Competitiveness: Projects that remove barriers to business and job growth, attract investment, attract or retain a skilled workforce, strengthen the sector and regional partnerships, and diversify regional economies.
  • Strategic Economic Infrastructure: Minor capital projects that advance economic development and investment opportunities.

• For the Economic Diversification and Competitiveness Stream, the province will contribute up to 50 percent of eligible project costs to a maximum of $150,000 while for the Strategic Economic Infrastructure Stream, the province invests up to 30 percent of eligible project costs to a maximum of $250,000.