Harper Government Investment Supports Business Development and Growth in North Bay and Surrounding Areas

Press Release

December 16, 2014 – North Bay, Ontario – Industry Canada/FedNor

Member of Parliament Jay Aspin (Nipissing—Timiskaming), on behalf of 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 support business growth and job creation in the North Bay area.

The investment of $91,676 will enable the North Bay & District Multicultural Centre to establish and operate a small business incubator in downtown North Bay. The facility will provide a space where business mentoring, coaching and training programs can be delivered to budding entrepreneurs. It will accommodate up to 23 businesses and focus on helping newcomers, young entrepreneurs, post-secondary graduates, Francophones and Aboriginal people, as well as individuals displaced in the job market, who are now seeking to start their own business.

Quick Facts

• This FedNor investment complements the Government of Canada’s efforts announced as part of Economic Action Plan 2013 to help outstanding and high-potential incubator and accelerator organizations in Canada expand their services to entrepreneurs.
• 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 Government of Canada has invested $329 million in support of more than 1,600 projects. These investments have supported more than 21,500 jobs throughout Northern Ontario.

Quotes

“Our Government is making the right investments to stimulate business development and growth, while creating jobs and positioning North Bay and all of Northern Ontario communities for long-term economic prosperity. Today’s announcement clearly demonstrates our commitment to providing entrepreneurs with the resources they need to start a business, create jobs and succeed in the modern economy.”

– Jay Aspin
Member of Parliament for Nipissing–Timiskaming

“On behalf of the aspiring entrepreneurs in North Bay and surrounding areas, I would like to thank the Government of Canada for investing in the future of our economy through the small business sector. Today’s announcement will provide entrepreneurs throughout the area with access to the tools they need to grow, innovate, and bring ideas to the marketplace.”

– Don Curry
Executive Director, North Bay & District Multicultural Centre

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

Carol Deguire
Communications Officer
FedNor
705-670-5327 or 1-877-333-6673 Ext 304

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