NEWS RELEASE
JILL DUNLOP, MPP FOR SIMCOE NORTH
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Our government has announced investments to help create jobs and prosperity in rural and Indigenous communities. Nearly one in eight jobs in Ontario is sustained by the agriculture and agri-food sector, which contributes to a healthy economy that benefits rural and urban communities across the province. Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Ernie Hardeman made an announcement that various municipalities across Simcoe North are receiving funding to conduct programs that aim to attract investment, remove barriers to economic development, and grow our local economy.
The Rural Economic Development program is part of our government’s commitment to rural communities which also includes infrastructure investments, and expanding access to natural gas and broadband.
The provincial funding, totalling over $150,000, was approved for the Township of Ramara (up to $30,000), the Township of Severn (up to $15,000), the City of Orillia (up to $60,000), the Orillia Area Community Development Corporation (up to $23,000), and the County of Simcoe (up to $23,000).
“This is great news for our riding,” said MPP Jill Dunlop. “This provincial funding is supporting our organizations and municipalities as they work to boost and diversify our local economy, enhance investment attraction efforts, and develop future innovative opportunities for business community market growth.”
Dunlop stated this announcement was just another example of the government’s commitment to ensure that rural Ontario is open for business.
“Rural Ontario has been ignored for too long. We are making it a priority in this government,” said Hardeman. “These investments will help create a strong future for our rural communities by boosting economic growth, creating jobs and ensuring they are great places to live and do business.”
Dunlop echoed the minister’s statement, saying, “It is clear that our government is dedicated to making all of Ontario open for business. In order to restore Ontario to the great economic engine it once was, we need to promote and support all businesses across Ontario and that includes rural Ontario. We have a first-class agri-food and agriculture sector, and I am pleased to be able to help our community identify their economic strengths and develop strategies that can attract business and investment. This will help bring more economic growth to our communities in Simcoe North and it is part of our government’s commitment to bringing good jobs back to Ontario.”
The Rural Economic Development program supports projects that help create jobs and prosperity, and invest in rural community economic development. This program is also helping communities identify their economic strengths and develop strategies to attract business and investment. It is part of the government’s commitment to ensure that rural Ontario is open for business.
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