10 November 2009
Rural Community of Upper Miramichi, New Brunswick
Residents of the 16 communities forming the Rural Community of Upper Miramichi will soon benefit from a new multifunctional community centre, thanks to investments of close to $600,000 from all three levels of government. Tilly O’Neill-Gordon, Member of Parliament for Miramichi, Hon. Rick Brewer, Minister of Human Resources and Minister responsible for the Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat were joined today by His Worship Scott Clowater, Mayor of Rural Community of Upper Miramichi, for the announcement of the facility.
“The Government of Canada, through the Economic Action Plan, is taking steps to stimulate the economy, create jobs in rural New Brunswick and support communities hit hardest by the global economic downturn,” said MP O’Neill-Gordon on behalf of The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). “Our investment of more than $200,000 through the Community Adjustment Fund will allow the Rural Community of Upper Miramichi to create employment opportunities by constructing a new 3,500 square. foot, multi functional community centre. In addition to municipal offices, the new Centre will provide a venue to deliver essential community services to youth, women and local workers.”
“Our investment in this multifunctional centre will provide services for our youth and all community groups, improve the quality of their lives, and help us on our journey toward self-sufficiency,” said Brewer, on behalf of Hon. Victor Boudreau, Business New Brunswick Minister and Minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation. “The Province of New Brunswick is proud to be an important partner in this community project for Upper Miramichi.”
The project involves the construction of a 3500 square foot multi functional community centre for Boiestown and surrounding areas. The new multifunctional centre is designed to help foster economic and social activity in the community. The center will provide space for youth in order to promote and undertake entrepreneurial initiatives in the area. The facility will also make available a location for local unemployed workers to prepare for employment opportunities. Local economic development agencies and municipal staff will utilize offices to provide services to the 16 communities forming the Rural Community of Upper Miramichi.
"Since incorporation in 2008, our major focus has been on economic development for Upper Miramichi. Creating the Upper Miramichi Community Development Centre brings many of the key players together to make this happen,” said Mayor Scott Clowater. "We are excited to partner with the federal and provincial governments to provide a place for entrepreneurs to access information on business start-ups, receive counseling, training, and participate in networking opportunities. This is a significant step forward for Upper Miramichi."
The Government of Canada will contribute $200,000 toward the project under the Community Adjustment Fund; a key economic stimulus initiative under Canada’s Economic Action Plan, while the Province of New Brunswick is also investing $200,000. The Rural Community of Upper Miramichi will provide the remaining $181,000 to complete the project.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $1 billion over two years for the CAF program, which will help create jobs and maintain employment in affected communities. In Atlantic Canada, CAF is delivered by ACOA. For more information regarding the CAF application process, community criteria, and timelines visit ACOA’s website at www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca.
For information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Tilly O’Neill-Gordon, Member of Parliament for Miramichi and Hon. Rick Brewer, Minister of Human Resources and Minister responsible for the Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat were joined today by His Worship Scott Clowater, Mayor of Rural Community of Upper Miramichi, to announce investments of close to $600,000 to build a 3,500 square foot, multi functional community centre for the 16 communities forming the rural municipality. The new multifunctional centre, designed to help foster economic and social activity in the community, will create 10 full-time jobs during its construction period.
The Government of Canada will contribute $200,000 toward the project under the Community Adjustment Fund; a key economic stimulus initiative under Canada’s Economic Action Plan, while the Province of New Brunswick is also investing $200,000. The Rural Community of Upper Miramichi will provide the remaining $181,000 to complete the project.
-30-
INFORMATION:
Erin Filliter
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State (ACOA)
613-941-7241
Ted Parisé Senior Communications Officer
ACOA New Brunswick
506-452-3917
Bruce Macfarlane
Corporate Secretary
Regional Development Corporation
506-444-4606
Scott Clowater
Mayor
Rural Community of Upper Miramichi
506-369-9810
