Granby, Quebec, December 9, 2010 – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, today announced the awarding of $1.17 million in funding through the Community Adjustment Fund to Granby Zoo for the development, in the zoo, of habitats reproducing the natural environment of snow leopards and Amur leopards.
"The project announced today by Granby Zoo is sure to benefit the regional economy. It will generate an overall investment of $1.56 million and create one permanent position as well as 54 indirect jobs during the work phase," stated the Minister of State.
The Granby Zoo project aims to ensure the protection and reproduction of endangered Asian leopard species. It is part of the extensive modernization plan undertaken by the Zoo in 2004 in order to become the flagship attraction of the Eastern Townships' tourism industry. The region will thus have an additional asset that will position it as a preferred destination for tourists from here and abroad.
The Community Adjustment Fund is a two-year, billion-dollar measure established under Canada's Economic Action Plan to help fund projects that have the potential to create and preserve jobs in communities affected by the economic downturn.
For more on Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
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Sources:
Suzanne Thebarge
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-496-6714
E-mail: suzanne.thebarge@dec-ced.gc.ca
Benoît Fortin
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-997-3319
E-mail: benoit.fortin@dec-ced.gc.ca
