On July 30, John Yakabuski, MPP for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, announced that the County of Renfrew will receive up to $14,550 to host career fairs, employee tours, develop a rural transit ride-share program and support developing on-farm value-added products; and the Town of Renfrew will receive up to $2,700 to design, fabricate and install wayfinding signs and add public Wi-Fi to the downtown area which will provide modern amenities and help with attracting tourists, increase business and attract investors. These initiatives are two of 58 successful projects receiving funding from the first intake of the updated RED program. Project applications to the RED program were subjected to a streamlined process starting last year to reduce the burden for applicants.
The funding will help to provide accessibility, modern amenities, attract tourism and investors, and provide better connectivity for businesses and residents throughout Renfrew County.
“This investment will support local jobs and encourage economic growth in Renfrew County,” said John Yakabuski, MPP for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke. “Improving accessibility, attracting investment and supporting local job growth will be especially important as we gradually and safely reopen the province.”
County of Renfrew Warden Debbie Robinson shared, “The funding support from the Province to these important areas of our rural economy is wonderful news. These funds will support several initiatives in Renfrew County that will provide access to rural transit, attract tourism and investment, and strengthen the agri-business sectors.”
QUICK FACTS
Municipalities, not-for-profit entities, Ontario Indigenous communities / organizations or local services boards are eligible for the Rural Economic Development program and costs are shared according to which of the two streams under which the project may fall. The RED program offers two project streams:
- Economic Diversification and Competitiveness: Projects that remove barriers to business and job growth, attract investment, attract or retain a skilled workforce, strengthen sector and regional partnerships and diversify regional economies.
- Strategic Economic Infrastructure: Minor capital projects that advance economic development and investment opportunities.
For the Economic Diversification and Competitiveness Stream, the province will contribute up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs to a maximum of $150,000 while for the Strategic Economic Infrastructure Stream, the province invests up to 30 per cent of eligible project costs to a maximum of $250,000.
Lapinskie,L.(2020,July30) Supporting Economic Growth and Job Creation in Renfrew County [media release]
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