August 24, 2009
La Crete, Alberta
Chris Warkentin, Member of Parliament for Peace River, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced Government of Canada support to enhance the Mennonite Heritage Village in La Crete and promote new economic opportunities in the region.
“ Our Government, through Canada's Economic Action Plan, is proud to invest in this important landmark and position it as a source of new growth for local residents and businesses, ” said MP Warkentin. “ Today's investment will help provide stimulus to the local economy by creating jobs, attracting visitors and enabling this community to strengthen its foundation for long-term success. ”
The La Crete Agricultural society will revitalize the Heritage Village through repairs and improvements to the Village's buildings, tractors and equipment. Further upgrades include the addition of more shelving to organize and catalogue artifacts that depict the history and culture of the Village, as well as the installation of signage to improve public awareness of the Village's location. As the main attraction in La Crete, the enhanced Mennonite Heritage Village will attract more visitors from surrounding areas, which is expected to benefit the local business community.
Federal funding of $53,240 is being provided through the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, with Mackenzie County providing $20,000 and the La Crete Agricultural Society providing $10,268.
“ Mackenzie County is very pleased to support the efforts of the La Crete Agricultural Society in creating some much needed employment in our community and at the same time preserving our Heritage Village, ” said Peter Braun, Deputy Reeve of Mackenzie County. “ We are grateful to see the federal government's commitment in supporting this project as well. ”
" On behalf of the La Crete Agricultural Society, I wish to express our heartfelt gratitude for the federal funding via the Community Adjustment Fund and municipal funding from the Mackenzie County, " said Joyce Fehr, President of the La Crete Agricultural Society. " This funding will aid us in accomplishing at least three of our goals – to help create jobs in La Crete, to preserve our heritage through repairs and improvements, and to give our community a boost by encouraging tourism. "
A part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) is a two-year, $1 billion national program that will provide an economic stimulus by supporting projects that create jobs and maintain employment in rural communities.
The fund will provide $306 million over two years to support the most affected western Canadian communities, such as those that are heavily reliant on resource-based industries, for instance forestry, mining, agriculture and fisheries, and communities that depend on the manufacturing industry. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is delivering the fund in the four western provinces.
Visit the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) in the West or Canada's Economic Action Plan for more information.
For additional information, contact:
Donna Kinley
Regional Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Edmonton, Alberta
Tel: (780) 495-6892
Cell: (780) 991-7432
Peter F. Braun
Deputy Reeve
Mackenzie County
La Crete, Alberta
Tel: (780) 926-6238
Susan Siemens
Coordinator
La Crete Agricultural Society
La Crete, Alberta
Tel: (780) 928-4447
WD Toll-Free Number :1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY) : 1 877 303-3388
Website : WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca .
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