February 25, 2021

MPP Walker announces $120,762.59 in Rural Economic Development program funding

Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker has announced that three local projects are receiving a total of $120,762.59 in funding through the Rural Economic Development (RED) program.

The Ontario government continues to help rural communities diversify their economies, retain skilled workers and create jobs by investing nearly $800,000 in 16 projects approved through the Rural Economic Development (RED) program. 

Walker announced the following three projects have received funding:

1. Asset Management Ontario (AMONTario) – Municipal Asset Management for Economic Development - $66,500 – Asset Management Ontario (AMONTario) will introduce asset management concepts to 30 economic developers representing rural, northern, and Indigenous communities in order to better understand how to maximize potential investments and build economic development capacity. 
2. County of Grey – Making Grey and Bruce Home for International Talents - $35,012.59 – County of Grey is looking to attract/retain international workers in the rural Grey/Bruce Region. The project will provide supports for international students from Georgian College through information, mentoring and referrals/connections to community services & Grey/Bruce employers.
3. Saugeen Economic Development Corporation – Saugeen Connects in AWE and Succession Planning - $19,250 - Saugeen Economic Development Corporation is conducting a two pronged project that consists of business attraction, expansion and retention as well as succession planning in response to rural economic development barriers.

“This is great news for our local communities as we continue to recover from COVID-19,” said Walker. “I’m thrilled to see our government continuing to invest in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound and I want thank Minister Hardeman for this support.”

“This new targeted funding is just one of the many ways our government is supporting job creation and economic development across the province,” said Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “We’re encouraging local economic growth by supporting projects that help expand businesses and provide skills development and training for employees. These kinds of investments are particularly important as we lay the foundation for our recovery from COVID-19.”

This intake was directed at upper-tier municipalities and not-for-profit regional organizations with a mandate focused on regional economic development. Qualifying projects would be eligible for up to 70 percent of total costs to a maximum of $75,000 in provincial funding.

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.

 

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