Press Release
Ontario is helping to increase farm production and efficiency in Rainy River District by investing in two agricultural infrastructure projects.
With a $1 million investment from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), the Rainy River Future Development Corporation will install tile drainage on more than 1,900 acres of farmland, benefitting seven producers by improving soil quality and resulting in healthier crops with higher yields.
The NOHFC is also providing $14,750 to the Rainy River Cattlemen’s Association for the purchase of new equipment and software, helping streamline cattle sales and improve efficiency.
“I am pleased that our government continues to invest in important infrastructure projects such as these,” said Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines and Chair of the NOHFC.
“By supporting the Northern agricultural industry we are helping to expand farm operations and create new economic opportunities for farmers across the North,” he added.
“This project will help our participating farms improve their land base to access new opportunities and grow crop production,” said Jan Beazley, chair of the Rainy River Future Development Corporation.
“We thank the province for its investment in these tile drainage projects, and for supporting our local area producers,” she added.
“This funding will allow us to modernize our operations, resulting in faster processing and more sales. We thank the province for its investment and support,” said Kim Jo Bliss of the Rainy River Cattlemen’s Association.
This funding is part of the largest infrastructure investment in Ontario’s history—more than $130 billion over 10 years, which will support more than 110,000 jobs per year on average, with projects such as roads, bridges, transit systems, schools and hospitals across the province.
Ontario’s long-term infrastructure plan will help connect regions, develop new economic opportunities and improve quality of life for Ontarians by supporting critical infrastructure projects in cities, towns, and rural and remote communities all across the province.
Investing in agricultural infrastructure is part of the government’s plan to build Ontario up. The four-part plan includes investing in people’s talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.
Since 2003, the NOHFC has invested more than $1 billion in 6,780 projects in Northern Ontario, creating or sustaining more than 25,500 jobs, including over 3,000 jobs in Kenora-Rainy River
The NOHFC’s investments in agriculture are part of the Ontario government’s Growth Plan for Northern Ontario.
A Conference Board of Canada report estimated that Ontario’s public infrastructure investment would add more than $1,000 to the average annual income of Ontarians in 2014 and lower the unemployment rate by about one percentage point.
