For Northern Life
The Government of Canada is investing more than $1.3 million in Greater Sudbury, Tony Clement, Industry Minister, announced Jan.20.
The investment, through FedNor, will support eight community-based economic development initiatives.
“Let me say how wonderful it is to be back in Sudbury and to be part of what I think is a very important announcement,” Clement said.
...the support we’ve received ... helped us achieve those goals and objectives.
Bob Lipic,
Mining Technologies International president
Clement, who is also the minister responsible for FedNor, appeared at Mining Technologies International (MTI) to announce the investment, where he was greeted by president of the organization Bob Lipic and City of Greater Sudbury mayor Marianne Matichuk.
“This announcement is certainly positive for our community, and it’s instrumental in assuring our community will move forward,” Matichuk said.
Clement said the investment is a much needed one for the region, partly because of the current economic state of the country.
Although he said Canada in the only highly industrialized country in the world to regain most of its jobs lost during the recent recession, that “there is still a lot more work to do.”
“There are still more jobs to be obtained, gained and retained,” he said. “And of course we continue to focus in on making sure the recovery is a long-standing recovery and successful for the months and years ahead.”
The Nickel Basin Federal Development Corporation will receive $500,000 of the investment, enabling the organization to provide access to capital for small and medium-sized businesses and provide entrepreneurs with access to vital services, such as business planning and counselling.
MTI has worked very hard during the last several years to create a competitive export business, Lipic said, and it couldn’t have made it this far without the help of Nickel Basin. “We’re very appreciative of the support that we got,” Lipic said. “And it’s terrific to hear that there’s additional support for northern Ontario. It’s going to be a big advantage for our whole economy.”
Lipic said that a couple years ago, his employment level was around the 250 mark, while today it’s fast approaching 400.
“We’ve had good continuous growth,” he said. “And that’s with the support that we’ve received that (has)helped us achieve those goals and objectives.”
The remaining investment, $245,123, will go toward community economic developments such as the Rainbow Country Travel Association, and Regroupement Des Gens D’affaires Franchophones, while $560,000 will go toward youth initiatives like the Northern Ontario Youth Centre for Social Innovation.
