Leeds-grenville And Rural Eastern Ontario Benefit From A $10 Million Government Of Canada Investment

February 18, 2008

BROCKVILLE, Ontario — Leeds-Grenville MP Gord Brown joins the residents and businesses of rural Eastern Ontario in celebrating the Government of Canada’s investment of $10 million toward the renewal of the Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP) for one year. The funding was announced by Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry MP and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for FedNor, Guy Lauzon, on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement.

“Today's announcement represents a real shot in the arm to local businesses and communities in our area,” says Brown. "Leeds-Grenville has benefited greatly from the Eastern Ontario Development Program and I know the staff and boards of the Grenville CFDC and the1000 Islands CDC are equally excited by this latest show of support from Canada's Government."

In the seven months from April 1, to December 31, 2007, the 1000 Islands CDC and the Grenville CFDC were involved in generating approximately $4 Million in EODP-related activity in the region, including:

• more than 240 inquiries from stakeholders;
• in excess of 130 proposals submitted and considered, with a total value of almost $1.6 million;
• 114 approved projects valued at close to $1.2 million; and
• an additional $2.8 million leveraged from other sources.
  

“The EODP is an important, and smart, investment for this government, since we know the Program accrues benefits that far outweigh its cost,” adds Brown. “The statistics speak for themselves.

“I am a real champion of this type of economic development where the decisions are made locally.”

Managed by FedNor, the regional economic development organization responsible for the Community Futures Program in rural Ontario, the EODP will be delivered by the 15 Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) located throughout rural Eastern Ontario, as well as the Eastern Ontario CFDC Network Inc. The EODP is a Government of Canada initiative that allows rural Eastern Ontario communities to pursue the creation of a competitive and diversified regional economy through investments within five key economic development priorities – business and community development, access to capital, skills development, retention and attraction of youth, and technological enhancements.