December 18, 2009
Grande Prairie, 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 help the Grande Prairie Farmers’ Market Society strengthen economic opportunities in the region.
“The Government of Canada recognizes the value of entrepreneurship and the importance of sustainability in our communities,” said MP Warkentin. “The Grande Prairie Farmer’s Market provides opportunities for many local entrepreneurs, and this project will expand opportunities, encourage tourism and create jobs – all of which will benefit the local economy.”
The Grande Prairie Farmers’ Market Society is using the federal investment to improve and expand the Farmers’ Market building. The upgrades will make the market more attractive to visitors, and the larger facility will further enhance profitability by allowing vendors to expand their stalls. Thirty-one new vendor stalls will also be added, doubling the current capacity to meet growing interest from local entrepreneurs. The project will create employment opportunities in construction, production, sales and processing and will contribute to the overall sustainability of the Grande Prairie community.
Federal funding of $511,600 is being provided through the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
“There is a huge shift towards feeding our families with food produced locally, and the Peace Country is recognized as a producer of some of the best food in the world,” said Ainsley Lamontagne, General Manager for the Grande Prairie Farmers’ Market. “These renovations will enable us to offer this wonderful food to even more families in Grande Prairie, and the exciting and attractive new shopping environment will help make the Market the weekly destination of choice.”
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:
Donna Kinley
Regional Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Edmonton, Alberta
Tel: (780) 495-6892
Cell: (780) 991-7432
Ainsley Lamontagne
General Manager
Grande Prairie Farmers' Market
Tel: (780) 814-8224
Fax: (780) 814-8254
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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