For immediate release
November 29, 2013
Winchester, Ontario — Today, the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), along with Guy Lauzon, Member of Parliament for Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry, announced an investment of $48 million for the renewal of the Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP).
Minister Goodyear made the announcement at the quarterly meeting of the Ontario East Economic Development Commission (Ontario East). Ontario East represents over 200 communities, with more than two million residents and promotes eastern Ontario as a centre for investment.
"I am proud to announce that our Government will continue to promote business development, job creation and strengthening communities in rural eastern Ontario with the renewal of EODP," said Minister Goodyear. "Through EODP, the Agency will continue to act as a champion within this region, encouraging new partnerships and project development for the expansion of community economic assets, business growth and business infrastructure/services to help create jobs, growth and long-term prosperity."
Over the next five years, starting in April 2014, EODP will promote strategic economic development in eastern Ontario that will have a long-term impact in the region.
To date, the Agency has invested over $80 million through 7,636 business and community development projects. This has led to additional support of $345.6 million from partners such as local businesses, municipalities and the Government of Ontario.
The success of EODP is based on a strong delivery model which utilizes the 15 Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) in eastern Ontario and the Eastern Ontario Community Futures Development Corporation Network Inc. The EODP renewal means that these organizations will continue to assess and fund projects that help make rural eastern Ontario communities better places to live and work.
"Our Government understands that small- and medium-sized enterprises, entrepreneurs and economic development organizations, play a crucial role in job creation and Canada's competitiveness," said MP Lauzon. "This is why the renewal of this program demonstrates our Government's commitment to providing the right tools for our region to stay competitive and prosper into the future."
"We are very pleased to have Minister Goodyear participate in our fall quarterly meeting," said Craig Kelley, President of the Ontario East. "The Ontario East Economic Development Commission shares FedDev Ontario's goal of creating strong and vibrant economic future for eastern Ontario."
"The EODP has been a catalyst for business and community development across eastern Ontario for a number of years," said Carol Armstrong, Chair of the Eastern Ontario CFDC Network. "We are pleased to continue our collaboration with the Government of Canada so that Community Futures Development Corporations can support projects that will grow and diversify the regional economy."
To find out more about the Eastern Ontario Development Program and how to access program funding, please refer to the backgrounder.
Created in 2009, FedDev Ontario supports the southern Ontario economy by building on the region's strengths and creating opportunities for jobs and economic growth. In Budget 2013, the Government of Canada demonstrated its continued commitment to workers, families and communities in southern Ontario with the renewal of FedDev Ontario. Economic Action Plan 2013 provides $920 million over five years for the Agency, starting on April 1, 2014. As part of the renewal, FedDev Ontario will be allocating $200 million over five years for a new Advanced Manufacturing Fund in Ontario. For further information, check the Eastern Ontario Development Program Guidelines, contact us or call 1-866-593-5505.
Follow us on Twitter @FedDevOntario
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