Club Motoneige des Plaines inc. Receives $103,500 in Funding From Government of Canada to Acquire a New Snow Grooming Machine

SAINTE-CROIX, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - March 18, 2011) - Jacques Gourde, Member of Parliament for Lotbinière–Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, today announced, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, that the Club Motoneige des Plaines Inc. snowmobile club will receive $103 500 in non-repayable funding. Awarded under the Community Diversification program, this financial assistance will be used to purchase a new snow grooming machine.

"Lotbinière is an ideal territory for snowmobiling. By supporting the snowmobiling sector, the Government of Canada is fostering the growth of the industry while enhancing the region's tourism offering," noted MP Gourde.

Club Motoneige des Plaines Inc. is responsible for grooming approximately 223 kilometres of trails, including 133 that are part of the Trans-Québec network which draws numerous out-of-province tourists each year. The purchase of equipment is essential for the club to be able to ensure users safe and accessible trails that meet industry standards.

The project of Club Motoneige des Plaines is expected to help the Chaudière-Appalaches region, which has 24 snowmobile clubs, consolidate the gains it has already made in the sector. Indeed, organized snowmobiling generates economic spinoffs of some $37 million for the region each winter, benefiting such local businesses as hotels, restaurants and equipment rental shops, among others. Moreover, the club joins in the efforts of regional economic stakeholders to promote and strengthen the solid reputation the region's network of 33,500 kilometres of snowmobile trails enjoys on markets outside Quebec.

Tourism development is a priority for the Government of Canada, which set aside $40 million in its economic action plan to support the Canadian Tourism Commission in its efforts to successfully promote the country's industry on national and international markets.

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