Sept-Îles, Quebec, January 12, 2009 – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, took the opportunity while visiting Sept-Îles today to announce the awarding of $98,968 in non-repayable funding to Société Bleu Nordique for the acquisition of specialized equipment. This contribution rounds off the more than $800,000 already invested in the startup of a berry processing plant in the Côte-Nord region, an initiative that has resulted in the creation of six local jobs.
Société Bleu Nordique set up the plant, the first of its kind in the region, in a former fish processing factory in Port-Cartier. There, the blueberries harvested by Côte-Nord producers are washed, frozen, and processed into juice, fruit concentrate and powder by Maison Bergevin de Québec, a partner in the project. Eventually, these activities may be expanded to include the secondary and tertiary processing of these fruits.
"In supporting Société Bleu Nordique’s innovative and rallying project, Canada Economic Development is also helping the Côte-Nord economy diversify into a sector considered a key priority. Given the current economic situation, we intend to take whatever means necessary to revitalize our local economies," explained Minister Lebel.
Société Bleu Nordique’s project promises to help foster the growth of the region’s berry industry, and the operation of this new plant will encourage the local processing of these crops.
This funding from Canada Economic Development has been awarded through the Community Economic Development Initiative, a measure whose goals are to support slow-growth communities, encourage diversification of the local economic base and reduce reliance on single-industry economies.
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Sources:
Claudie Lamontagne
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 418-722-3282 or 1 800-463-9073
E-mail: claudie.lamontagne@dec-ced.gc.ca
Éric Lefebvre
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Cell.: 613-608-7906
E-mail: eric.lefebvre@dec-ced.gc.ca
