Duane Hicks
The Rainy River Future Development Corp. has been granted $1,185,000 to help boost business development and create regional economic development opportunities in forestry, mining, and tourism.
Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP Don Rusnak, on behalf of Innovation, Science and Economic Development minister Navdeep Bains, who also is the minister responsible for FedNor, made the announcement Friday at the RRFDC office here.
Of the total, $900,000 will enable RRFDC to keep providing small- and medium-sized businesses with access to capital and business counselling services in Rainy River District for a three-year period.
The remaining $285,000 will help it develop a three-year regional planning and implementation initiative on behalf of eight communities within the RRFDC service area, namely Fort Frances, Alberton, La Vallee, Emo, Chapple, Lake of the Woods, Morley, and Rainy River.
This project will focus on developing opportunities in forestry, mining, and tourism, as well as providing business support to companies looking to expand into new markets.
“The investments announced today [Friday] will ensure that local businesses continue to benefit from the information and services they need to grow and create jobs,” said Rusnak.
“The Rainy River Future Development Corp. has a long and successful history of encouraging economic growth, tourism, and investment in Fort Frances and throughout the region,” he added.
Rusnak noted it’s “the first of many announcements I hope to make over the next couple years.”
“Stay tuned. We’re advocating hard for the region here,” he stressed, noting he plans to spend more time visiting with area businesses and municipal councils and “seeing what the issues are on the ground.”
“The Government of Canada recognizes the important role Community Future organizations, such as the Rainy River Future Development Corp., play in helping businesses and entrepreneurs reach their full economic potential,” Bains said in a press release.
“We are proud to partner with these community-based, business-focused organizations to grow the local economy and create jobs,” he added.
“Thanks to the support from the Government of Canada, the RRFDC will continue to help businesses reach new markets and maximize growth opportunities that will benefit everyone in the region,” said RRFDC chair Jan Beazley.
“We are proud of the support we offer entrepreneurs in our region, and look forward to creating business opportunities in forestry, mining, and tourism,” she noted.
“On behalf of the board, Don, I’d like to thank you and the government for the funding that’s been provided for us and the commitment they have for what we’re trying to in our district,” said RRFDC vice-chair Tony Marinaro.
A strategic planning session with district municipalities and diversification projects really helps the RRFDC reach its goals, he added.
The funding provided to the RRFDC was provided through FedNor’s Community Futures and Northern Ontario Development programs, which support projects that promote sustainable community economic development, enhance business development and growth, and facilitate innovation.
The RRFDC is one of 24 Community Futures Development Corporations funded by FedNor to serve Northern Ontario businesses and communities.
Each of these are run by a board of local volunteers, and staffed by experience business and economic development professionals.
