Huron Expositor, 2007-06-06, Page 131
The Huron Expositor • June 6, 2007 Page 13
News
Province gives Huron $675,000 for rural economic development
Jennifer Hubbard
The new Huron Economic
Development Matters program
got off to a running start last
week, thanks to a financial boost
from the provincial government.
Huron -Bruce MPP Carol
Mitchell announced a $675,000
Rural Economic Development
(RED) grant for the county -wide
program last Wednesday during
the Huron Community Matters
conference in Clinton.
"I know how hard it has been
and I know the hurdles we will
face, but we will face them
together and overcome the barri-
ers," Mitchell said.
"This is our time. We are going
to seize the economic develop-
ment opportunities as they
arise... I know we're up to the
job."
Mitchell made the May 30
announcement on behalf of
Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of
Agriculture, Food and Rural
Affairs. •
Huron Economic Development
Matters is a partnership
between the provincial govern-
ment, County of Huron and
Huron Business Development
Corporation (HBDC).
"This will allow us to invest in
Huron like never before... we've
doubled our resources," said
Huron County councillor and
South Huron Mayor Ken Oke,
speaking for Warden Deb
Shewfelt who could not attend.
"It certainly gives us some-
thing to celebrate tonight."
HBDC president Pam Stanley
echoed Oke's enthusiasm for the
"long-awaited, but much-needed
and appreciated funding."
"We're ready to rock' n' roll. It
can't happen soon enough," she
laughed.
Expanding on the three main
issues identified during the local
Community Matters consulta-
tions — economic growth, commu-
nity revitalization and youth
engagement — the new program
name gives kudos to the United
Way project, explained Paul
Nichol, HBDC economic develop-
ment manager.
Three new jobs will be created
through the program, one in
each area of focus.
Combining the provincial dol-
lars with the $200,000 county
and $25,000 HBDC commitments
each year, a total of $450,000
will be available annually for
Huron economic development
projects.
Funding applications of
$15,000 or less will be reviewed
and approved by the program's
management team, consisting of
Jennifer Hubbard photo
Partners in attendance for the May 30 Huron $675,000 Economic Development Matters funding announcement were: Scott
Tousaw, county director of planning and development; HBDC chair Pamela Stanley; South Huron Mayor Ken Oke; Huron -Bruce
MPP Carol Mitchell; HBDC economic development manager Paul Nichol and Huron East Mayor Joe Seili.
Nichol, Stanley, Shewfelt, county ground running" last week.
director of planning and develop- Over 400 information packages
ment Scott Tousaw and Huron were sent out the day after
East Mayor Joe Seili. Mitchell's announcement and
Grant requests over $15,000 $85,000 in funding has already
will go to both the HBDC board been requested by Huron school
and Huron County Warden's boards, chamber of commerces,
Task Force for approval. municipalities, tourist associa-
A specialized loan fund will tions, etc.
also be set up to "support pro- "It's all over the map," Nichol
jects over and above what we added.
typically do," Nichol said The provincial RED program
And though it took "quite a invests in community-based pro -
while" to get government jects that support sustainable
approval, Huron Economic rural economies
Development Matters "hit the in three priori -
If you are unemployed or on El
Group
Professional Resume Development
Interview Preparation
Job Seekers & Coaching Club
Call The Centre for Employment &
Learning for more Information
519-524-2515
519-482-1700
519-235-0471
519-527-0305
519-357-4995
EMPLOYMENT
ONTARIO
Goderich
Clinton
Exeter
Seaforth
Wingham
Employment Ontario programs are funded
In part by the Government of Canada.
ty areas: improved access to
health care services, revitalized
communities and down towns
and enhanced skills training.
A total of $187.6 million has
been invested in rural Ontario
through RED since 2003.
"We need to come up with a
plan on how we are going to
move into the future... a clear
vision on how we are going to go
forward. That's what we need
and that's what this program
provides," Mitchell added.
You are cordially invited
to attend the
OFFICIAL OPENING
of the
Huron County
Emergency Medical Services
Wingham Station at
62 North Street West, Wingham
TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2007
Open House: 2 — 7 p.m.
Ribbon Cutting: 3 p.m.
Please feel free to tour through the station.
Refreshments available.