Pierre Lemieux,
député/ Member of Parliament
Glengarry-Prescott-Russell
PIERRE LEMIEUX ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR JOB CREATING PROJECTS
“ As I have stated many times before, our small and medium size businesses are the economic backbone of our riding – it is these businesses that employ the people of our riding. Healthy local businesses mean a healthy local economy. I look forward to working with each of you as we build a stronger Glengarry-Prescott-Russell together.”Hawkesbury & Limoges, Ontario - MP Pierre Lemieux announced today that 5 projects in Glengarry-Prescott-Russell will move forward thanks to an investment of more than $540,000 from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). FedDev Ontario supports economic and community development and innovation, and makes contributions to communities, businesses and non-profit organizations in southern Ontario.
“I am announcing funding that will directly benefit businesses in our riding through a program known as the Community Adjustment Fund,” said Mr. Lemieux. “As I have stated before, our small and medium size businesses are the economic backbone of our riding – it is these businesses that employ the people of our riding. Healthy local businesses mean a healthy local economy.” The announcement was hosted by a thriving local business, The Green Beaver Company, a manufacturer of certified organic personal care products that has grown from 2 people to 19 people.The organizations benefiting from Mr Lemieux’s announcement are:
The Green Beaver Company, Hawkesbury : The Green Beaver Company is an extremely successful manufacturer of certified organic personal care products. They will use the announced funding for the procurement and implementation of a business software system.
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Foam Geometrix, Vankleek Hill : Foam Geometrix is a manufacturing and distribution business specializing in the computerized shaping and cutting of expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam), which can be used in the construction of homes and buildings. They will be building a 6,000 sq. ft. facility with an occupation date of January 2011.
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Groupe Convex : is an excellent organization that has established 9 businesses to employ people with intellectual handicaps. They will strengthen the capacity of Groupe Convex to create employment through the establishment of two positions in research and development.
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Higginson Harvest of Champlain Township: Higgenson Harvest is a pick-your-own farm with seasonal attractions. They will use their funding to increase their Maple Syrup production by expanding and revamping their facilities and sap production lines.
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Prescott-Russell Tourism Association, Limoges : The funding will be used to operate a new tourist information centre in Limoges at the exit for Calypso Waterpark. Calypso Waterpark will open its doors this summer and is expecting 8,000 to 10,000 visitors per day. Mr Lemieux stated, “Congratulations to M Drouin and his team for bringing Calypso to our region. When coming to Calypso, visitors are bound to notice how lovely our region is, which will allow us to promote our local attractions such as our community fairs, the Curd festival, the Larose Forest and the Papanack Zoo, to name only a few.”
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Mayor Pommainville personally thanked Mr Lemieux for having organized this very important announcement regarding the Prescott-Russell Tourist Association in the Casselman-Limoges region. "We are thankful to Mr. Lemieux and to all the levels of government who make it possible for us to develop and grow our businesses here," said Nancy Wiseman of Higginson Harvest in Hawkesbury. “Mr Lemieux fully understands the important work we do as Groupe Convex and we have always counted on his support”, said Caroline Arcand of Groupe Convex.
MP Lemieux also had the pleasure to launch Industry Canada’s Small Business Internship Program for 2010 with the Manager of the Community Development Corporation of Prescott-Russell, John Candie. The program will enable small businesses to hire a qualified student intern to help complete a communications and information technology related project.
“When the federal government launched the Southern Ontario Development Program, I called Pierre and I told him that he had to make sure that Eastern Ontario received its share of the funding. said Mr. Candie. He continued, “ Pierre has worked hard to ensure that funding is delivered into Eastern Ontario and we are benefiting from it. He worked very closely with Minister Goodyear and today, we see the results!”
In his concluding remarks, Mr Lemieux highlighted key economic indicators that show that the Conservative government’s Economic Action Plan is working:
- In January, the GDP grew 0.6%, the biggest monthly increase since December 2006; the nation has now experienced 5 consecutive months of economic growth.
- In January manufacturing sales also rose, the seventh increase in eight months;
- In February and March, employment increased by nearly 40,000 jobs. Since July 2009, Canada has created almost 160,000 new jobs;
- The global accounting firm KPMG has just ranked Canada as the most competitive industrialized country for job creators;
- And according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, business confidence is at its highest level in 5 years.
“Now this is positive momentum and our Conservative government wants this to continue,” said Mr. Lemieux. “That is why our recent budget is focussed on jobs and growth. We are guiding Canada out of this recession onto solid economic footing.”
Mr Lemieux concluded, “I look forward to working with each of you as we build a stronger Glengarry-Prescott-Russell together.”