Government of Canada Investments Strengthen the Dryden Region

DRYDEN, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Jan. 18, 2011) - Greg Rickford, Member of Parliament for Kenora, on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for FedNor, today announced that the Government of Canada, through FedNor, is investing $1,035,000 over three years to support small business development and growth in the Dryden region.

"The Government of Canada recognizes that investing in small business initiatives makes good economic sense," said MP Rickford. "Last year, funding provided through the Community Futures Program enabled Patricia Area Community Endeavours to assist more than 26 local businesses to create or maintain more than 60 jobs."

FedNor supports the creation, growth and success of small and medium-sized businesses through the Government of Canada's Community Futures Program. Patricia Area Community Endeavours is one of 24 Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) funded by FedNor to serve Northern Ontario businesses and communities. CFDCs are community-based, not-for-profit organizations run by volunteer boards and staffed by experienced business and economic development professionals.

Of the funding total, $960,000 will support the ongoing operations of Patricia Area Community Endeavours, offering business support services and access to capital for small and medium-sized businesses over the next three years. The remaining $75,000 will enable the organization to support a variety of local and regional community economic development projects within its catchment area.

"Today's announcement will enable us to continue to act as a catalyst for economic development to build a brighter future in our region," said James Brohm, Chair, Patricia Area Community Endeavours. "In addition, this funding will assist us in our leadership role in helping communities compete in a diverse global economy."

To find out more about FedNor, visit us at: http://ic.gc.ca/FedNor. To find out more about the Community Futures Program, visit: http://ic.gc.ca/cfdc-ontario