26 November 2010 Montague, Prince Edward Island
The first of five Rural Action Centres, a cornerstone commitment of the Province's Rural Action Plan, opened today in Eastern Prince Edward Island.
Today, the Honourable Robert Ghiz, Premier of Prince Edward Island, and Mr. Wayne Hooper, Director General of Regional Operations, ACOA PEI & Tourism, joined with representatives of Active Communities Inc. to officially open the new Rural Action Centre in Montague.
"The establishment of Rural Action Centres reflects the commitment of the provincial government to making the full range of economic opportunities readily accessible to rural residents and businesses," said Premier Ghiz. "We are pleased to partner with the federal government and with community organizations to stimulate jobs and growth throughout the province, and the Rural Action Centres are critical to the achievement of that goal."
Rural Action Centres will be client-centered partnerships between multiple federal, provincial and non-government organizations that are focused on business and community development services. All services in the Rural Action Centres will be coordinated through a cooperative service model to ensure complete and seamless access to government development programs for entrepreneurs, business people and community groups.
"Our government is pleased to support projects, like the Rural Action Centres, that strengthen community infrastructure and expand economic opportunities for the people of Prince Edward Island," said the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. "We are pleased to work closely with our provincial partners to continue to foster entrepreneurship on the Island."
The Government of PEI is supporting the Rural Action Centres as an initiative of the Province's Rural Action Plan. The province is contributing $44,000 under the Island Community Fund.
The Government of Canada, through ACOA, supported the Montague Rural Action Centre with a $44,000 contribution under the Community Adjustment Fund, a key stimulus program under Canada's Economic Action Plan. This funding will contribute to the renovations of the existing building in Montague and provide an additional office space.The lead community partners and hosts of the Rural Action Centres across the province include:
- West Prince Ventures Limited in Alberton
- Active Communities Inc. in Montague and Souris
- La Société de développement de la Baie Acadienne Incorporée in Wellington, and
- Central Development Corporation Ltd. in Central Bedeque
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Prince Edward Island's the first Rural Action Centre was officially opened today in Montague by Premier Robert Ghiz and ACOA Official Wayne Hooper. This is a joint federal-provincial initiative which allows entrepreneurs to seek business development, community development and tourism-related information at the Centre in Montague. The Centre, which will serve Eastern Prince Edward Island, is the first of five to be opening across the province.
- 30 -
INFORMATION:
Cindy Roy
ACOA PEI & Tourism
(902) 566-7569
Wayne MacKinnon
PEI Corporate and Financial Services
(902) 368-4888
