KENORA — The Ontario Government is committing $3.3 million in cost-share funding to 58 projects through the updated Rural Economic Development Program (RED) to help rural and Indigenous communities diversify their economies, retain skilled workers, invest in local infrastructure and create jobs.
Today, Greg Rickford, MPP for Kenora–Rainy River announced that the City of Kenora will receive up to $18,000 in funding through the RED program.
The funding will assist beautification enhancements to the urban forest within the Harbourtown Centre which will involve species identification, review and analysis of the tree cover, design of a maintenance regime, and new planting based on removals and identified gaps.
“This investment in beautifying downtown will allow the people of Kenora to better enjoy the city they know and love,” said MPP Rickford. “Businesses, residents, and tourists will all benefit as downtown Kenora becomes a more attractive, enjoyable place than it already is.”
“Supporting local jobs and removing barriers to investment and economic growth in rural communities is more important than ever,” said Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ernie Hardeman. “As the economy reopens, our investments in the Rural Economic Development program will have a very real impact on communities across rural Ontario.”
This initiative is one of 58 successful projects receiving funding from the first intake of the updated RED program. Project applications to the RED program were subjected to a streamlined process starting last year to reduce the burden for applicants.
Supporting renewal, growth and economic recovery in rural and Indigenous communities is part of the government’s plan to get every region of Ontario back on track so they can create jobs, opportunity, and prosperity for everyone.
Quick Facts
- Municipalities, not-for-profit entities, Ontario Indigenous communities/organizations or local services boards are eligible for the Rural Economic Development program and costs are shared according to which of the two streams under which the project may fall.
- The RED program offers two project streams:
o Economic Diversification and Competitiveness: Projects that remove barriers to business and job growth, attract investment, attract or retain a skilled workforce, strengthen the sector and regional partnerships, and diversify regional economies.
o Strategic Economic Infrastructure: Minor capital projects that advance economic development and investment opportunities.
- For the Economic Diversification and Competitiveness Stream, the province will contribute up to 50 percent of eligible project costs to a maximum of $150,000 while for the Strategic Economic Infrastructure Stream, the province invests up to 30 percent of eligible project costs to a maximum of $250,000.
