Rob Clarke, Member of Parliament for Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification today announced Government of Canada support to help Buffalo Narrows Economic Development Corporation (BNEDC) strengthen employment opportunities in Buffalo Narrows and surrounding area.
“Our Government, through the Economic Action Plan, is taking action to ensure communities succeed at this time of economic slowdown,” said MP Clarke. “This investment in the Town Centre is helping our region emerge from this challenging time more prosperous, and stronger than ever.”
BNEDC is building a 30,000 square-foot Town Centre with 20,000 square feet devoted to commercial rental space and 10,000 square feet for retail space. The facility will fill the need for floor space in the area’s crowded commercial rental market. Administrative, retail and construction jobs will be created through this project.
Federal funding of $750,000 is being provided through the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. Clarence Campeau Development Fund is providing $1 million through its Community Business Development Program and its Large Scale Projects Program. Gabriel Dumont Institute is providing $66,465.
“CCDF is pleased to provide financial support to the Buffalo Narrows Economic Development Corporation," said Roland Duplessis, CEO of the Clarence Campeau Development Fund. "The Town Center development clearly meets the Fund’s mandate of improving economic circumstances for Métis people and communities in the province.”
“Gabriel Dumont Institute is built on a tradition of partnerships much like this one,” said GDI Board Chairperson, Gabe Lafond. “The smaller size of the Institute lends itself well to providing a rapid and flexible response to employer needs and to current economic stimulus activities. We have the capacity to capitalize on these circumstances to foster partnerships and create new opportunities.”
“The Board of Directors of BNEDC is pleased to realize the dream of a new Town Centre that will house the community's professional and government offices, along with the creation of 10,000 square feet of retail space, much needed for Buffalo Narrows,” said Harley Hudson, Chairman of the Board. “The assistance of Rob Clarke, our Member of Parliament, and the participation of Clarence Campeau Development Fund and Gabriel Dumont Institute, are key elements that have made this project a reality. We believe our new Town centre represents the catalyst through which the economic quality of life for Buffalo Narrows, its residents and the surrounding areas will grow and prosper."
BNEDC will own and operate the multi-purpose commercial building. All revenues from the Town Centre will be re-invested into economic development activities in the community.
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 more information, contact:
Joanne Mysak
Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: (306) 975-5942
Geordy McCaffrey
Executive Director
Gabriel Dumont Institute
Telephone: (306) 657-2231
Barry Weaver
CEO
Buffalo Narrows Economic
Development Corporation
Telephone: (306) 235-4593
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.
