HARPER GOVERNMENT INVESTS TO CREATE JOBS, GROWTH AND PROSPERITY IN TIMMINS AND SURROUNDING AREAS
Funding to Attract Private Sector Investment, Support Innovation, Business and Youth Initiatives TIMMINS, Ontario, November 22, 2013 — The Honourable Greg Rickford, Minister of State for Science and Technology, and FedNor, and Minister responsible for the Ring of Fire, today announced a Government of Canada investment that will foster community economic development, small business growth and innovation, as well as provide opportunities for area youth to further contribute to the regional economy.
“Our Government is investing in initiatives that create jobs to fuel the local economy, here in Timmins,” said Minister Rickford. “Today’s announcement will enhance business development and competitiveness, spur innovation, and help communities reach their full economic potential and ensure a more sustainable future for Northern Ontario.”
FedNor funding of $1,819,419 will support a variety of initiatives in the Timmins and surrounding region. For example, the Timmins Economic Development Corporation will benefit from an investment of $444,418 to help establish the Northeast Innovation and Productivity Centre, an innovation-focused organization geared to supporting local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Similarly, the Town of Kirkland Lake will receive $490,500 to prepare a parcel of municipally owned land for a commercial development. These projects, and others being announced today, will benefit the region by attracting private sector investment and helping SMEs to grow.
“FedNor’s support for priority community initiatives continues to make a difference here in Timmins and throughout the region,” said Tom Laughren, Mayor of Timmins. “Whether it’s supporting strategic planning, opportunities for youth, or the Northeast Innovation and Productivity Centre, we are grateful for the Government of Canada’s support that is helping diversify our economy, attract businesses and create jobs.”
The funding announced today is provided through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program, which supports projects that strengthen community economic development, enhance business development and growth, and facilitate innovation throughout the region.
"Our Government remains focused on providing the right environment for economic growth, through effective cooperation across all sectors, to keep Canadians working and to ensure the long-term prosperity of all our communities," concluded Minister Rickford.
Town of Kirkland Lake $928,000
With a FedNor investment of $490,500, the Town of Kirkland Lake will prepare municipally owned land, paving the way for the construction of an $8-million, 80-room hotel that will create employment for up to 30 people. In addition, the Hockey Heritage North facility, located adjacent to the construction site, will be equipped with video conferencing and telecommunications equipment to support tourism and business development opportunities.
Additionally, $437,500 in FedNor funding will be used by the town to retrofit its civic stadium community park to create a year-round, multi-use facility to accommodate event-based tourism, such as trade shows, concerts and sports tournaments. Infrastructure improvements are critical to growing the local tourism industry and attracting more visitors to the region.
Timmins Economic Development Corporation $444,418
A FedNor contribution of $444,418 over a three-year period will enable the Timmins Economic Development Corporation to establish an innovation and productivity centre. The mandate of the centre will be to enhance the innovation, commercialization, management and trade capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises in the Timmins region, covering an area stretching from New Liskeard to Hornepayne, and north to the James Bay Coast. The project will develop entrepreneurs' abilities to grow their businesses by helping them access the expertise or training they need, ranging from product and market research to e-commerce and export development.
Materials Joining Innovation Centre $100,000
Materials Joining Innovation Centre (MaJIC), based in Kirkland Lake, will use $100,000 to purchase new innovative equipment, renovate its lab and implement a recently completed marketing plan to become a broadly recognized innovator and service provider in the welding industry. This initiative will enable MaJIC to expand its market, supporting client technical innovation and adaptation.
Town of Cochrane $184,750
FedNor funding of $184,750 will enable the Town of Cochrane to support four separate initiatives. In the first, the community will use $90,000 to implement investment and workforce attraction strategies to support economic growth. The strategies are designed to encourage businesses to establish in or relocate to the town, and to recruit workers to fill more than 70 vacant positions in the local market.
In the second project, the municipality will use $47,250 to hire a youth intern for an 18-month period to develop, coordinate, support and promote community and tourism events held at Cochrane's Lake Commando, located in the downtown core. Implementing the project over 18 months will allow the coordinator and stakeholders to implement changes in the second year, based on best practices and lessons learned in the first year, improving the effectiveness of each event.
Thanks to an additional contribution of $27,500, the municipality’s newly established economic development department will hire a youth intern for a one-year period to coordinate activities, helping with small business counselling, industry diversification, and strategic planning to maintain and grow business activity.
And lastly, the Town of Cochrane will benefit from a $20,000 FedNor investment to prepare an economic development strategic plan. The plan will assist Cochrane in identifying and prioritizing viable economic opportunities while taking into account the current realities of the mining and forestry sectors in the community. This strategic plan will be an important decisionmaking document that will guide Cochrane's future economic development projects.
The North Eastern Ontario Communications Network Inc. (NEOnet) $40,000
A FedNor contribution of $40,000 will assist NEOnet in deploying a broadband internet solution to the businesses and residents of Matachewan First Nation. Broadband is critical in helping Matachewan First Nation benefit from the mining development taking place in its vicinity.
Abitibi-Temiscamingue Métis Development Corporation $38,250
The Abitibi-Temiscamingue Métis Development Corporation will use $38,250 in FedNor funding to develop an economic participation plan for Métis people and businesses in the region. The plan will expand the engagement capacities of Métis businesses, helping them network and leverage economic opportunities generated by the area’s mining developments.
Kirkland Lake and District Chamber of Commerce $31,500
This not-for-profit organization will use $31,500 in FedNor funding to hire a business support youth intern for a one-year period to assist with various economic development initiatives. The intern’s activities will include revising website content, implementing social media strategies, and developing and promoting a best practices retail staff training program for area businesses.
Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund $27,500
With a FedNor contribution of $27,500, Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund will hire a youth intern for a one-year period to encourage Aboriginal people in the Timmins area to embrace entrepreneurship. The intern’s responsibilities will include developing and coordinating an Aboriginal entrepreneurship training program for youth; providing training that runs the gamut from business planning to business start-up; and coordinating workshops to raise awareness about business development opportunities, mainly related to regional resource development. Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund is a federally funded Aboriginal Financial Institution that provides financing, business support, and economic development services to Aboriginal businesses in Northern Ontario.
La Caisse Populaire de Timmins $25,000
A FedNor investment of $25,000 will enable la Caisse Populaire de Timmins to employ a youth intern for a one-year period. The intern’s primary responsibilities will include updating the organization's website to increase its visibility and make it interactive; creating a presence on social media; and reviewing the organization's information and communications technology practices and procedures internally, bringing them in line with current industry standards.
