One Kids Place (OKP) learned that meeting with their satellite offices in Huntsville and Parry Sound will be a great deal easier thanks to a 325,000 investment from FedNor this week.
One Kids Place (OKP) learned that meeting with their satellite offices in Huntsville and Parry Sound will be a great deal easier thanks to a 325,000 investment from FedNor this week.
Minister Tony Clement was in town this week to deliver the good news at OKP along with a few other cheques for area organisations as the federal agency’s $3.2 million commitment to grow a prosperous Northern Ontario.
“I am pleased to once again demonstrate our government’s commitment to the hardworking businesses and families of North Bay and all of Northern Ontario,” stated Minister Clement.
“The announcements made today will help bolster economic development and provide greater opportunities for small business owners and entrepreneurs, while ensuring residents have access to vital health care and technology services.”
ONE KIDS PLACE $325,000
A FedNor investment of $325,000 will allow One Kids Place (OKP) to purchase and deploy video conferencing equipment to connect with outreach centres in Huntsville and Parry Sound. This funding will enable healthcare professionals to communicate with their regional partners and deliver treatment services to children located across the organization’s large geographic catchment area.
BLUE SKY NET $817,565
Regional Geographic Information System (GIS) A FedNor investment of $495,644 will allow Blue Sky Net to help 17 municipalities implement a Geographic Information System that will accurately produce directions to and from business/tourism locations, analyze road surface types for municipal engineering purposes, and improve information for emergency services. It is anticipated that this initiative will generate approximately 10 highly skilled job opportunities in the Nipissing – Timiskaming region.
Broadband Deployment
A FedNor investment of $321,921 will assist Blue Sky Net in providing broadband access to eight currently unserviced communities in the Nipissing region. Once completed, residents will benefit from the availability of additional educational and training opportunities, enhanced delivery of health care services, and the use of online marketing and e-commerce tools to generate economic growth. This initiative is in keeping with FedNor’s commitment to help Northern Ontario communities compete and succeed in the new knowledge-based economy.
NECO COMMUNITY FUTURES DEVELOPMENT CORP. $345,500
FedNor funding of $345,500 will be used to “showcase” Northern Ontario agriculture and food products at the 2008 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (The Royal) in Toronto. Celebrating its 86th anniversary this fall, the Royal attracts approximately 375,000 visitors each year. Sponsoring a major exhibit at the Royal for the past seven years has enabled Northern agricultural organizations and food operations to become better known by presenting their products to consumers, industry representatives and potential investors.
FEDNOR YOUTH INTERNSHIP PROGRAM $55,000
The FedNor Youth Internship Program (YIP) helps talented, young graduates gain the skills they need to secure permanent employment in the North. FedNor funding of $55,000 will support two FedNor Youth Internships, providing recent post-secondary graduates with valuable on-the-job experience, helping them make the transition from the campus to the workplace. Local organizations receiving FedNor YIP funding of $27,500 include the Canadian Bioenergy Association and The Nipissing/Parry Sound Business Centre.
MP Anthony Rota says it is always good to have the minister in town when it involves funding for Northern Ontario.
Full details are contained in the news release below.
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Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota joined the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister for FedNor, in announcing more than $2.7 million in FedNor funding for eleven projects in the riding. “A lot of work has gone towards ensuring that local groups and organizations such as One Kids Place, the Canadian Ecology Centre, and Blue Sky Net receive maximum funding for their projects and initiatives,” says Mr. Rota.
Mr. Rota maintains that FedNor is essential in ensuring long-term economic growth and sustainability throughout Northern Ontario, and believes that today’s funding announcement will have a very positive effect on the local area. “Collaborating with applicants to develop quality proposals has been generating terrific results,” says Mr. Rota.
In addition to those mentioned above, today’s announcement also included FedNor funding for several other initiatives throughout Nipissing-Timiskaming including the South Timiskaming Communities Futures Development Corporation, Temagami First Nation, Gencor, and the FedNor Youth Internship Program.
According to Mr. Rota, there are still plenty of worthwhile projects in the riding that are deserving of FedNor support. “I remain committed to assisting local communities and organizations in preparing their applications for funds, and encouraging the Minister to review these based on their merits,” says Mr. Rota. “I cannot overstate the importance of making sound investments in people, knowledge, modern infrastructure and a sound and efficient financial sector in order to provide the foundation for global success.”
