FedNor is investing $479,872 to establish a 7,000-square-foot Northern Ontario pavilion at the 2016 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, which takes place November 4-13, at the Enercare Centre in Toronto.
Specifically, the investment will help more than 50 Northern Ontario businesses showcase their products and services to the more than 320,000 people expected to visit the fair this year.
Recognized as one of the largest and most successful agricultural fairs in the world, the Royal features over 2,000 agricultural competitions, showcasing more than 5,000 animals, artisan food and wines, and harvest products.
The funding, announced by Bardish Chagger, Minister of Small Business and Tourism, and Minister Responsible for FedNor, and Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament for Nipissing–Timiskaming, is being provided to the NECO Community Futures Development Corporation.
NECO 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.
“NECO has an impressive record of success for supporting Northern Ontario businesses,” said Caren Gagne, chair of NECO.
“The funding announced today will ensure that proud tradition continues. We are excited to once again partner with the Government of Canada, through FedNor, to establish a major exhibit at The Royal, which will further assist in our collective efforts to develop, grow and diversify the regional economy.”
