Investment in Economic Development of Lower North Shore to Support Startup of Local Enterprise and Refurbishment of Community Infrastructure

SEPT-ÎLES, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - July 31, 2015) - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, today announced that two Lower North Shore establishments have been awarded financial assistance that will be used to support the startup of a local enterprise and the refurbishment of community infrastructure.

The assistance announced today, totalling $629,940, is being provided in the form of two contributions, one repayable and one non-repayable, through CED's Quebec Economic Development Program.

Quick facts

• Coop de Solidarité les Bioproduits de la Basse-Côte-Nord, located in Bonne-Espérance, and Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes Church, in Blanc-Sablon, are the recipients of this financial support from the Government of Canada.
• The COOP will be able to use the funds obtained to acquire equipment in order to start up its operations in Bonne-Espérance, while the church has been able to preserve the building's multipurpose role for the benefit of the people of Blanc-Sablon.
• The contributions made by the federal government will enable the recipients to continue serving their clientele while maintaining and creating full-time jobs in the region.

Quote

"By funding the project to renovate Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes Church in Blanc-Sablon, along with the project involving the Coop de Solidarité les Bioproduits de la Basse-Côte-Nord in Bonne-Espérance, our government is fulfilling its commitment to improving the social and economic fabric of our communities, as well as facilitating the creation of viable new businesses by the region's English-speaking community."

Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

Related document

For further details on the two projects, consult the attached backgrounder.

Related links

For further information on the QEDP: www.dec-ced.gc.ca/eng/programs/qedp/index.html

To find out more (in French only) about Coop de Solidarité les Bioproduits de la Basse-Côte-Nord: www.cdrbslcn.fcdrq.coop/index.php?id=1173

To find out more (in French only) about Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes Church in Blanc-Sablon: donate2charities.ca/en/PAROISSE.NOTRE-DAME.DE.LOURDES._.0_119082626RR0001

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BACKGROUNDER

The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, today announced that two Lower North Shore establishments have been awarded financial assistance that will be used to support the startup of a local enterprise and the refurbishment of community infrastructure.

Promoter		Contribution - Investment - Project Description
Coop de Solidarité les Bioproduits de la Basse-Côte-Nord (COOP)		Repayable contribution of $283,400 / total investment of $670,276 The project involves starting up the COOP through the acquisition of leading-edge equipment for the commercial production of its products, and will enable the region's English-speaking community to strengthen their economy. The product line, made from Northern berries, such as blueberry, haskap (honeyberry) and cloudberry, includes: jellies, sorbets, purees, jams, syrups and fruit rolls. These will be sold on the Quebec market through stores, hotels, restaurants and institutions through distribution agreements. This project will lead to the creation of permanent jobs in this low-economic-growth community, and will have a direct impact on productivity and economic diversification in Le Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent RCM.
Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes Church in Blanc-Sablon		Non-repayable contribution of $346,540 / total investment of $693,080 The purpose of the project was to maintain existing community infrastructure that is open and accessible to the public. The project involved renovation of the building's exterior walls. The need for the work became clear following an inspection conducted by an architect, which revealed some major weaknesses that placed the building and its community activities at risk. This project was necessary in order to ensure the longevity of the infrastructure, which hosts many community activities, including weekly bingo, community suppers, food bank, used clothing counter, social activities for youth, scouts, vaccination clinic, service clubs, Court of Quebec itinerant services, AGMs, funeral home, Remembrance Day commemorations and graduations. Also, the basement has been designated as a contingency plan site for the health and social services centre (CSSS) and the Caisse populaire (credit union). The project enabled Blanc-Sablon construction firms to obtain contracts during the work.

In short

Total number of projects: 2

Contributions from CED: $629,940

Investment generated by these projects: $1,363,356