Harper Government Investment in First Nation Community Stimulates Business Development and Growth

October 20, 2014 – Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation, Ontario – Industry Canada/FedNor

The Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor), announced today an investment to help stimulate business growth and create jobs in Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation. The announcement coincides with Small Business Week, an initiative of the Business Development Bank of Canada that celebrates the contributions small and medium-sized businesses make to the Canadian economy.

FedNor funding of $500,000 will enable Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation to establish an industrial park to capitalize on immediate and long-term economic opportunities generated by rapid growth in the regional mining sector. Specifically, the funding will be used for road construction, the extension of water and electrical services to the site, and for the design, inspection and certification of the industrial park. Once complete, the project will result in the establishment of four fully serviced industrial lots covering 2.5 acres.

Quick Facts

• The funding announced today is provided through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program, which supports projects that promote sustainable community economic development, enhance business development and growth, and facilitate innovation throughout the region.
• Since 2006, through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program, the Harper Government has invested $354 million in support of more than 1,600 projects. These investments have supported more than 21,500 jobs throughout Northern Ontario.
• Small Business Week runs from October 19 to 25, 2014. Statistics Canada reports that there are over 1.1 million small businesses in Canada which employ more than 7.7 million individuals or 69.7 percent of the total private sector labour force. The small business sector accounts for 27 percent of Canada’s total gross domestic product (GDP) and is a leader in innovation, research and development.

Quotes

“Small and medium-sized businesses are the engine that drives our economy forward. By empowering communities such as Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation to develop and grow this important sector, we are positioning all of Northern Ontario for sustainable economic development and prosperity.”

– The Honourable Greg Rickford
Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario
“We acknowledge the Government of Canada and FedNor in supporting our effort to build a strong, self-sustaining economy for the Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation. Today’s announcement will help us attract private-sector investment to the area, create employment for local residents and support our business development activity.”

– Chief Paul Eshkakogan
Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation

Associated Links

• To find out more about our programs and services, please visit: fednor.gc.ca and follow us on Twitter @FedNor.

Contacts

Alexandra Lemieux
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Greg Rickford
613-996-2007
Alexandra.Lemieux@NRCan-RNCan.gc.ca

Barclay Babcock
Communications Officer
FedNor
705-690-0957 or 1-877-333-6673 Ext 303

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