Minister Goodyear Meets with Food and Beverage Stakeholders in Leamington

LEAMINGTON, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Jan. 24, 2014) - Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.

FedDev Ontario Minister of State Gary Goodyear, along with MP Dave Van Kesteren, was in Leamington today to highlight Agency funding opportunities available for local food and beverage processors.

With more than 3,000 food and beverage processing businesses located in Ontario, this sector is a key contributor to Ontario's and Canada's economy.

More than $530 million is available through FedDev Ontario's new Southern Ontario Prosperity Initiatives, aimed at retaining, attracting and growing businesses in southern Ontario to increase the region's global competitiveness. In addition, funding is available through the $200-million Advanced Manufacturing Fund in Ontario.

Today's meeting was one in a series of roundtables targeting the food and beverage processing sector that Minister Goodyear held this week, including sessions in Belleville and Toronto.

Quick Facts

• To date, FedDev Ontario has committed more than $41 million in 51 food and beverage processing-related projects in southern Ontario, as well as nearly $5.5 million in 131 projects through partners such as the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, the Yves Landry Foundation and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. This has leveraged a total of more than $305 million.
• Since its creation in August 2009, FedDev Ontario has invested more than $1.1 billion, resulting in partnerships with more than 5,300 organizations and more than $1.5 billion in additional leveraged investments from almost exclusively non-government sources to support businesses, organizations and communities in southern Ontario.

Quotes

"The federal government is sympathetic to the impact the Heinz plant closure in Leamington will have on the region and we are committed to assisting workers to transition through this difficult period. Through FedDev Ontario's programming, we would like to build on existing opportunities and help create, grow and attract businesses to the region."

Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for FedDev Ontario

"I'm pleased that Minister Goodyear has taken the time to meet with local stakeholders about challenges and opportunities in the food and beverage processing sector. We look forwarding to seeing growth in this sector, which plays a key role in our economy, especially here in Leamington."

Dave Van Kesteren, Member of Parliament for Chatham-Kent-Essex

Associated Links

Southern Ontario Prosperity Initiatives

Advanced Manufacturing Fund

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