The Sault's Terry Sheehan brought welcome news to businesses and job seekers in Elliot Lake on Monday.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (FedNor) and Sault Ste. Marie Liberal MP Terry Sheehan announced $2.1 funding from FedNor (Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario) aimed at helping East Algoma region communities and businesses grow and create jobs.
"The Government of Canada is focused on helping to build strong and sustainable communities, and supporting innovative small businesses that create well-paying, middle-class jobs for Canadians," Sheehan told local business leaders in the announcement at Fireside Classic Grill on Oakland Boulevard.
"Investing in the East Algoma CFDC (Community Futures Development Corporation) will provide local communities and businesses with the tools they need to grow, innovate and succeed," he added.
The East Algoma CFDC will receive $1.6 m to support its on-going operations for the next five years.
The remaining $510,000 will help recruit two new Economic Development Officers (EDOs) who will work with EACFDC and the Huron North Community Economic Alliance to pursue a number of regional economic and business development initiatives touching on agriculture, tourism, transportation and investment attraction.
CFDCs are community-based, not for profit organizations run by volunteer boards and staffed by experienced business and economic development professionals.
Representing the City of Elliot Lake at the announcement was Councillor Ed Pearce. He's also a member of the board of ELNOS Business Development Corporation.
Mayor Dan Marchisella is out of town for a few days, attending the annual ROMA (Rural Ontario Municipalities Association) annual conference in Toronto.
"This financial assistance will go a long way in helping us in our efforts to support business development, create jobs and strengthen the agricultural, tourism, commercial and industrial sectors in our region," said East Algoma CFDC chair, Neil Tulloch.
The federal announcement in Elliot Lake followed three days after a provincial announcement in Parry Sound last Friday by Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Ontario Infrastructure Minister Laurie Scott.
At that time, the Ford government announced more than $200 m in provincial dollars to fund infrastructure projects in small, rural and northern Ontario communities.
Elliot Lake will receive $322,000, Espanola will get $279,000 and Blind River will receive $552,000 of the Ontario government dollars.
"We are currently in Toronto at the ROMA conference getting more details on all funding opportunities. This is definitely an opportunity for Elliot Lake to apply for funding towards critical infrastructure projects," said Marchisella when reached by email for comment on the Ontario funding.