The federal government is investing $637,710 to support the development of small and medium-sized enterprises in the Sudbury region, as well as the growth of farm and food cooperatives across Northern Ontario.
The funding was announced Wednesday at Tom Davies Square by Liberal MPs Paul Lefebvre (Sudbury) and Marc Serré.
Of the total, $487,110 will be used by Greater Sudbury to help guide potential entrepreneurs in planning and starting their businesses, advise existing businesses on how to enhance their competitiveness, and provide growing firms with marketing information to support exporting activities.
The remaining $150,600 will allow the Ontario Natural Food Co-operative to provide business skills training, such as marketing, merchandising and distribution models, and to facilitate the expansion of co-ops.
Lefebvre and Serré made the announcement on behalf of Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for FedNor.
"By helping local entrepreneurs turn their business dreams into reality and create good quality, middle-class jobs, we are building a more prosperous Northern Ontario," Bains is quoted as saying in a news release.
Lefebvre said that he and Serré often work together to lobby for their ridings in Parliament.
“More often than not, we do this together,” he said. “We advocate on your behalf in Ottawa. We tag team.”
“The Government of Canada is committed to Northern Ontario,” Serré added. “Paul and I are very proud to be here together making this announcement.”
"“You guys are such great advocates,” said Mayor Brian Bigger. “Everyone in Ottawa knows how passionate you are about promoting our community.”
He said all of Northern Ontario will benefit from Wednesday's announcement and “will deliver for residents and businesses in the form of jobs, growth and economic prosperity.
“This funding will foster our growing culture of innovation.”
The funding is provided through FedNor's Northern Ontario Development Program, which supports projects that promote sustainable community economic development, enhance business development and growth, and facilitate innovation.
