Huntingdon, Quebec, February 20, 2007 The
Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of
Canada Economic Development, today announced the awarding of $558,921
in repayable funding to Maison Russet Inc. for the purchase and
installation of new and used manufacturing equipment.
Based in Huntingdon, Maison Russet is an agri-food firm specializing in
the production of pre-cooked, refrigerated and frozen potato products for the
Quebec and Ontario restaurant, hotel and food service markets.
"Maison Russet is in a good position to rapidly expand the scope of its
commercial activities, particularly in light of the support it enjoys from
Quebec, Ontario and U.S. shareholders with solid experience in the agri-food
sector, such as Patates Provinciales Inc., one of Quebec's top five
potato producers," noted Minister Blackburn.
This funding from Canada Economic Development reflects the
determination of Canada's new government to facilitate the emergence of small
and medium-sized enterprises in Quebec and to help these firms become more
internationally competitive. This initiative by the Agency will also help lead
to the creation of some 80 jobs in the
MRC du Haut-Saint-Laurent, an area particularly affected by
market globalization and the decline of the Quebec textile industry.
"Over the past few years, plant closures have severely shaken the region, its
workers, and the local population as a whole. In supporting the activities of
Maison Russet, Canada's new government is helping to foster the
revitalization of Huntingdon and further its gradual transformation from a
single-industry city to one of diversified economic activity,"
Minister Blackburn concluded.
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Sources:
Hélène St-PierreCommunicationsCanada Economic
DevelopmentTel.: 514-283-2583 E-mail: helene.st-pierre@dec-ced.gc.ca
Roxane MarchandPress SecretaryOffice of the Honourable Jean-Pierre
BlackburnCanada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-953-5646Cell.: 613-816-5094E-mail: roxane.marchand@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
