Trois-Rivières, Quebec, July 7, 2010 – Acting on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, Jacques Gourde, Member of Parliament for Lotbinière–Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, today announced the awarding of two contributions to GDG Environment Group Ltd. The firm will thus receive $450,000 in repayable funding through Canada Economic Development's Business and Regional Growth program and $350,000 in non-repayable funding through National Research Council Canada's Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP). These investments, along with NRC-IRAP's technical and business advisory services, will enable GDG Environment Group and its GDG Environment subsidiary to undertake a major research and development project.
Founded in 1980 by Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières biologist Jean-Guy Lanouette, GDG Environment Group offers a wide range of environmental services for enhancement of quality of life and better public health protection. The project for which the funding has been announced today is part of the company's strategic growth plan.
"Citizens are interested in environmental and safety issues. The new technology that GDG Environment Group and its GDG Environment subsidiary are looking to introduce addresses these important social concerns. That is why the Government of Canada was unhesitating in its decision to help fund this project, all the more so in that the initiative promises to create 10 quality jobs in the Trois-Rivières and Varennes areas," noted Jacques Gourde.
Through its collaboration with the Institut national de recherche scientifique (INRS) and investment in research and development, GDG Environment Group will be able to set itself apart from the competition by developing expertise that is sure to help the company increase its sales and break into new markets.
About Canada Economic Development
With its network of 14 business offices, Canada Economic Development provides support primarily to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and non-profit organizations by giving them access to services and financial assistance, in the form of repayable and non-repayable contributions, through its various programs.
The Agency's Business and Regional Growth program is aimed at strengthening the conditions conducive to the sustainable growth of Quebec's regions and SMEs by, among other things, helping enterprises improve their performance, become more competitive and engage in more innovation.
About the NRC and NRC-IRAP
National Research Council Canada's Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) provides a wide range of technical and business-oriented advisory services and financial support to qualifying innovative Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The program is delivered by a field staff of 240 business and technology experts in more than 100 communities across Canada. NRC-IRAP is dedicated to supporting SMEs and helping them harness their full potential by transforming knowledge and innovation into strategic opportunities, jobs and prosperity for all Canadians.
Adopted by the federal government in 2009, Canada's Economic Action Plan provides $200 million in additional funding over two years to expand the NRC-IRAP financial assistance available to innovative Canadian companies. For more on this Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For further information, consult the backgrounder associated with this news release:
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Sources:
Lyne Montpellier
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-371-5138
E-mail:lyne.montpellier@dec-ced.gc.ca
Media Relations
National Research Council Canada
Tel.: 613-991-1431
E-mail: media@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Ève Cardinal
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-997-3319
E-mail:eve.cardinal@dec-ced.gc.ca
Gary Toft
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gary Goodyear
Minister of State (Science and Technology)
Industry Canada
Tel.: 613-943-7599
