April 06, 2010
Gilbert Plains, Manitoba
Inky Mark, Member of Parliament for Dauphin-Swan River-Marquette, on behalf of the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification announced government support to help Plains Industrial Hemp Processing Ltd. strengthen economic opportunities in Gilbert Plains.
“This is one more way that our Government is investing in innovative projects that will open new market opportunities and boost the bottom line of our farmers,” said MP Inky Mark.
Under the project, Plains Industrial Hemp Processing Ltd. will build a hemp fibre processing plant. The facility will process up to 18,000 metric tonnes of hemp annually and generate new export markets for western Canadian value-added agricultural products. This first of its kind facility in Canada, will provide permanent job opportunities for the community as well as employment during construction of the plant.
Federal funding of $3,375,000 is being provided through the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan and $1,400,000 under the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Agri-Opportunities Program. Funding for the Agri-Opportunities project is subject to its meeting all eligibility requirements and the signing of a contribution agreement.
“The Rural Municipality of Gilbert Plains sees the Parkland Region as being competitive with other communities and seeks to be proactive in the development of viable business opportunities in our jurisdiction, ” said Larry Malowski, Reeve of the RM of Gilbert Plains. “ The municipality has worked with Plains Industrial Hemp Processing Ltd. through the initial stages of development and believes our Region provides a great many resources that would assist in the ongoing viability of such a business.”
“ The financial contribution towards this project will enable my company to complete the purchase of equipment and construct the processing facility in Gilbert Plains,” said Robert Jin, President Plains Industrial Hemp Processing Ltd. “This project is important as well so we can export Manitoba hemp fibre around the world. I am very happy about the progress of the project and look forward to the start-up of the facility.”
CAF supports the most affected western Canadian communities, such as those that are heavily reliant on resource-based industries. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is delivering the fund in the four western provinces.
Visit the Community Adjustment Fund in the West or Canada’s Economic Action Plan for more information.
For Broadcast Use
The Government of Canada is investing in the Plains Industrial Hemp Processing Ltd. facility in Gilbert Plains, Manitoba.
Federal funding of $3,375,000 is being provided under the Community Adjustment Fund and $1,400,000 under the Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada Agri-Opportunities Program. These investments will help Plains Industrial Hemp Processing Ltd. process up to 18,000 metric tonnes of hemp annually and generate new export markets for western Canadian value-added agricultural products.
For more information, contact:
Gabriela Klimes
Communications, Winnipeg
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: 204 983-6243
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Telephone: 613 773-7972
Larry Malowski
Reeve, Rural Municipality of Gilbert Plains
Telephone: 204 548-2326
Robert Jin
President, Plains Industrial Hemp Processing Ltd.
Telephone: 204 509-8758
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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