Ontario Strengthening Rural Economic Growth in Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes

Over $125,000 investment builds on government’s rural economic development supports

March 15, 2022

BROCKVILLE – The Ontario government is building strong rural communities with investments that will help to support modern and efficient public infrastructure and boost economic development.

MPP Steve Clark announced that the Kemptville Campus – Agri-Food Youth Entrepreneurship Program will receive $80,168, and the 1000 Islands Wanderer will receive $45,000 in funding through Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Program.

This important funding will help the Kemptville Campus Education and Community Centre to initiate a bilingual pilot program to teach skills in agri-food entrepreneurship for youth. The initiative will engage youth from the campus’ four partnering school boards and the community, to build a thriving ecosystem for agri-food entrepreneurship.

It will also help the Town of Gananoque and the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands develop a multi-faceted marketing program, the 1000 Islands Wanderer, that includes: video, audio and print content, blogging, vlogging, creating and posting social content to create business awareness and increase tourism in the region.

“I’m proud that our government is supporting local economic growth in Leeds-Grenville, as our community recovers from the impacts of COVID-19,” said Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes. “The RED program is yet another way we are building a stronger, brighter future for rural communities across eastern Ontario.”

“Our government is listening to the needs of rural Ontario, and we are committed to putting in place programs that will attract investment, create jobs and boost economic growth,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “Investments through the Rural Economic Development Program are helping shape a strong future for our rural and Indigenous communities by helping create opportunities that boost economic growth and ensure that rural communities can attract the people and investments needed to flourish.

These are two out of 61 projects the Ontario government is supporting to help diversify local economies, retain skilled workers, and create jobs in rural communities. The province is committing up to $3.8 million in cost-share funding through the intake of this funding.

Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Program continues to support rural communities and provide funding that will address barriers to economic development, and better position rural communities for sustained growth and job creation.

QUOTES

“The 1000 Islands Wanderer will provide tourists and even local residents an opportunity to spend more time in the area and explore the region. There are many agri-businesses that would welcome the opportunity to show their products to visitors to their farms, as well as, numerous farmer’s markets, craft fairs, antique shops and small villages in the area to visit and explore. Gananoque and the 1000 Islands is known for its beauty with the St. Lawrence River and the islands, but the region has so much more to offer. It is important that tourists wander throughout the 1000 Islands region to appreciate many of the local attractions and what local businesses have to offer.” – Ted Lojko, Mayor – Gananoque

“The Municipality of North Grenville is pleased to see this important investment in the Kemptville Campus – Agri-Food Youth Entrepreneurship Program. This program will support opportunities for agricultural leadership through education, training and mentorship at this 626 acre facility.” – Nancy Peckford, Mayor – North Grenville

“We are excited to see the Wanderer app launched in the Township. This will help drive visitors into the rural parts of our community helping to further build our businesses’ clientele and will increase traffic to our businesses who have weathered the COVID pandemic and are looking to grow.” – Corinna Smith-Gatcke, Mayor – Township of Leeds and the 1000 Islands

QUICK FACTS

  • Applications for the new targeted RED Intake were accepted from February 7, 2022 to March 7, 2022.
  • The Government of Ontario has committed more than $15.2 million to fund more than 287 economic development projects through the RED program since 2019.
  • The RED program supports projects with tangible benefits to rural and Indigenous communities that help to attract business, investment, and create jobs, while also providing greater value for taxpayer dollars.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Rural Economic Development program

MEDIA CONTACT
Erin Merkley

Constituency Assistant

erin.merkley@pc.ola.org