“DEVOLIN SUPPORTS $10 MILLION INVESTMENT FOR EASTERN ONTARIO”

August 3, 2006

LINDSAY – Local MP Barry Devolin was pleased to hear that the Harper government will invest $10 million through the Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP). The EODP provides resources to Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) which invest in a variety of initiatives focused on community economic development, small business growth, and job creation.

“Rural Eastern Ontario needs this funding, the manufacturing sector in areas of rural Eastern Ontario has experienced significant lay-offs in recent years,” said Devolin. “With this announcement I will continue to work closely with the four CFDC’s in my riding, City of Kawartha Lakes, South Lake (Brock), Haliburton and Peterborough County.”

“Each CFDC is community-based, not-for-profit organizations, staffed by professionals and are each governed by local volunteer boards of directors familiar with their communities' needs, concerns and future development priorities,” said Devolin. “The EODP takes a community based approach to economic development – one that encourages local stakeholders to work together to create a competitive and diversified regional economy,”

“This funding is important since it will allow rural Eastern Ontario communities to continue aggressively pursuing economic opportunities so they can take charge of their own economic future and supports community-based initiatives in five strategic areas:”

• Business and Community Development;
• Skills Development;
• Attracting and retaining youth;
• Improving access to Capital; and
• Enhancing the use of technology.

The EODP is managed by FedNor, the regional economic development organization responsible for the Community Futures Program in rural Ontario. 

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For more information contact:
Barry Devolin, MP 
(705) 879-9364