City gets $25,000 for film and television development project

Nipissing MPP Monique Smith
News Release

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Communities in Nipissing are working to attract new investors and strengthen the local economy.

With support from the Northern Communities Investment Readiness (NCIR) program, the Municipality of Powassan will receive $30,000 to complete a market study and gap analysis, profiling local assets to encourage companies to start projects in the area and train staff to better work with potential investors.

Also, the City of North Bay will receive $25,000 to create a film and television sector development project to help foster an environment that is attractive to the film and television industry.

These initiatives are part of the government's five-year Open Ontario Plan to create jobs and economic opportunities in Northern Ontario.

“I am pleased that our government is again supporting the City of North Bay and the Municipality of Powassan in their endeavours to promote their strengths to potential investors who are looking to the North for new opportunities,” said Monique Smith, MPP for Nipissing.

“The Northern Communities Investment Readiness program is an effective tool for northern communities to take stock of community assets and resources to identify opportunities for economic diversification,” said Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry.

Municipality of Powassan Mayor, Peter McIsaac said, “Our municipality is grateful to the local representatives from the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry who have worked diligently with our economic development staff and committees to provide us with the tools that will be necessary to attract new investors and help existing businesses grow. The new NCIR funding is critical to helping Powassan’s economic vision become a reality.”

“We are pleased to work with our regional municipal partners in developing tools that support the growth of the northern film industry,” said North Bay Mayor Al McDonald. “With NCIR’s contribution we have been able to provide training opportunities and are creating a portal which will provide production companies with easy access to talent, services and locations.”

QUICK FACTS

 The province is supporting these initiatives with $55,000 from the NCIR program.

 NCIR funding of $7,500 enabled the Nipissing East Community Opportunities-Community Futures Development Corporation to host a visit to North Bay earlier this fall by a number of Austrian business representatives who are considered experts on green technology.

 To date, more than $2 million in NCIR funding has been approved for 242 initiatives across the North.

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