Drummondville, Quebec, June 17, 2008 – The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, took the opportunity of today's launch of the socio-economic planning process for the Bécancour Regional County Municipality (RCM) to announce the awarding of $90,000 in non-repayable funding to the Société d'aide au développement de la collectivité (SADC) Nicolet-Bécancour, the Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) serving the area. These funds will be used to prepare an action plan for the strategic development of the territory, which has been adversely affected by the recent closing of Norsk Hydro and job losses in the manufacturing sector precipitated by the global economic situation.
"This exercise, which involves the broad-based consultation of economic stakeholders and government representatives, is intended to help diversify the local economy and secure the community's future. This concrete measure is expected to result in the emergence of new growth-generating and job-creating projects that will benefit the community as a whole," stated Minister Blackburn.
This financial assistance from the Government of Canada will enable the CFDC to hire a consultant to draw up an economic portrait centred on the region's declining industries, promising sectors of the future, state of the competition and potential solutions. This information will be used to develop a common global vision for the economic diversification of the region and propose the means by which this can be achieved.
This consultation process should serve as an opportunity for regional stakeholders to join forces, set priorities, determine the most effective strategy and better target their actions to support innovation, the competitiveness of the RCM's enterprises and the sustainable development of the region.
"Canada Economic Development will work in close cooperation with all of the parties involved in the economic recovery of the RCM in order to bring about a major restructuring over the months to come. The time is ripe for forging ahead with this initiative and working together to ensure local citizens enjoy the kind of quality of life they deserve," the Minister added.
Awarded through the Canada Economic Development Community Diversification program, this contribution will support the region's socio-economic stakeholders in their pursuit of this project.
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Sources:
Karina Gagnon
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 418-368-6048 or 1-866-368-0044
E-mail: karina.gagnon@dec-ced.gc.ca
Pierre Miquelon
Office of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-496-1282
E-mail: pierre.miquelon@dec-ced.gc.ca
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