Bristol, Quebec, February 18, 2008 Acting on
behalf of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister
of Canada Economic Development, the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of
Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced that the firm
Coronation Cider Mills will receive $30,000 in non-repayable funding
for the acquisition of apple processing equipment.
In an effort to break into a niche market, Coronation Cider Mills
plans to diversify into the production of apple cider and ice cider and the sale
of such by-products as apple sauces and jellies.
"The contribution we are announcing today will help facilitate the
diversification and consolidation of the Pontiac's economic base. Canada
Economic Development's support of this project is consistent with the measures
our government has put in place to foster the emergence of new enterprises and
eliminate the barriers to their growth and expansion. This firm's activities
will serve to stimulate the manufacturing sector in the area and help create a
distinctive trademark for Outaouais agri-food products. Moreover, the start-up
of these operations will lead to the creation of six full-time jobs in the
community of Bristol," stated Minister Cannon.
"This funding from Canada Economic Development will allow us to more fully
capitalize on the potential of the Bristol orchard, which has been our family's
goal. In addition to developing new product lines, we also intend to offer our
clients a range of interpretive activities on cider production and the
processing of apples into various by-products," explained Coronation Cider
Mills President Shawn Graham.
Agri-processing is a promising niche for the Outaouais region, as are high
technology, tourism and value-added wood processing. It is in
these priority sectors that Canada Economic Development has decided to focus its development
efforts by supporting projects that will have an impact on both the region's
urban areas and rural belt.
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Sources:
François BélisleCommunicationsCanada Economic DevelopmentTel.:
819-825-5260, ext. 235E-mail: francois.belisle@dec-ced.gc.ca
Jean-Philippe PaymentPress SecretaryOffice of the Honourable
Jean-Pierre BlackburnCanada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-953-5646E-mail: jeanphilippe.payment@hrdsc-rhdsc.gc.ca
