SIOUX LOOKOUT – NEWS – Minister Greg Rickford is working Northwestern Ontario hard this week. Events in Kenora, Dryden and Sioux Lookout have kept the Minister busy. From dropping the puck at the Little Bands Hockey tournament in Dryden to making funding announcements from Fednor, Minister Rickford has kept moving across the north.
“Our Government is committed to providing Northern Ontario communities with the tools and resources they need to promote economic development, encourage business growth and create jobs. Today’s announcement will empower community leaders to come up with cost-effective solutions to the challenges of fresh food and consumer goods transportation and distribution to the benefit of Far North communities, local residents and businesses,” stated Greg Rickford, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario.
Minister Greg Rickford, in Sioux Lookout, announced today an investment to help maximize the economic potential of Northwestern Ontario, while supporting jobs, growth and prosperity throughout the region.
“Our ongoing partnership with FedNor and the Government of Canada is helping to create jobs and improve the economic outlook for Sioux Lookout and communities throughout the area. This study will explore the opportunity of a regional distribution centre that would in the future deliver tangible results for people and businesses in Northwestern Ontario by reducing costs and providing improved access to fresh foods and quality products,” Mayor Doug Lawrance, Municipality of Sioux Lookout.
The Fednor investment of $81,500, will enable the Municipality of Sioux Lookout, in partnership with Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug and Lac Seul First Nations, to complete a feasibility study to determine the viability of creating a regional distribution centre for fresh food and consumer goods.
The study will help determine how products could be sourced directly from manufacturers or importers to achieve business efficiencies and reduce the costs of consumer goods, while improving shipping timelines and increasing the shelf-life and quality of fresh foods delivered to the region.
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 $343 million in support of more than 1,645 projects. These investments have supported more than 21,500 jobs throughout Northern Ontario.
