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Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Caledonia Plans For Business Investment

McGuinty Government Helping County Set Economic Development Goals

TORONTO, Sept. 18 /CNW/ -

NEWS

Ontario is helping the Caledonia Regional Chamber of Commerce develop a

strategic plan to help retain and expand businesses.

The province is investing $17,000 to help the Chamber and its partners

craft a strategic action plan to respond to the results of a survey conducted

amongst 92 businesses in Caledonia and the surrounding community. The funding

will help retain the services of a full-time project coordinator to help

improve communication between the local community and businesses, liaise with

other levels of government, promote business retention and expansion and help

businesses create and retain jobs in Caledonia.

The funding is part of the Rural Economic Development Program

(http://www.omaf.gov.on.ca/english/rural/red/index.html) which invests in

community-based projects in three priority areas:

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    -   Improved access to health care services.

    -   Revitalized communities and downtowns.

    -   Enhanced skills training.

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    QUOTES

"This new strategic action plan will help increase competitiveness of

local businesses while also helping create and retain jobs. This investment is

part of the McGuinty government's plan to build stronger and more prosperous

rural communities" said Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and

Rural Affairs.

"Our community can now begin to address the concerns of businesses in

Caledonia and the surrounding area," said Caledonia Regional Chamber of

Commerce President Maureen Thomson. "This project will help us develop a plan

to not only retain local businesses, but also increase business investment in

the area."

    QUICK FACTS

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    -   Since 2003, Ontario has invested $60.1 million in 183 projects

        through the Rural Economic Development Program.

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    LEARN MORE

    Find out more about the Caledonia Regional Chamber of Commerce

(http://www.caledonia-ontario.com/).

    Learn more about how Ontario is helping small business

(http://webx.newswire.ca/click/click.cgi?id=51a1297dd1e916c).

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                                                       ontario.ca/rural-news

                                                      Disponible en français

    >>

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For further information: Sherry Persaud, Minister's Office, (416)

326-6439; Brent Ross, Communications Branch, (416) 326-9342