Province makes investments in northern communities
Two northern Ontario municipalities received infrastructure funding grants earlier this month.
On January 9, Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, announced that the province would invest $250,000 in the Kenora SportsPlex.
The project will see the facility expanded to increase its second-floor viewing area, improve accessibility and maximize use of the playing field area as a regulation-sized field of play. The improvements, said the government, will allow the centre to attract regional sports tournaments and accommodate more spectators.
"This investment encourages sports tourism in Kenora," said Rickford. "We are building strong, vibrant communities across Northern Ontario together and creating real opportunities for the people who live here and the companies that want to invest, sending a signal to the world that Northern Ontario is open for business and open for jobs."
"The Kenora SportsPlex is a unique amenity to our community that provides a diverse range of opportunity for use and has vast potential beyond the current capacity," said Kenora Mayor Daniel Reynard. "This addition will have great benefits to Kenora and our surrounding area."
Rickford later announced an investment of $83,000 for two projects in the Fort Frances-Rainy River region. The funding includes $65,000 for the Town of Fort Frances to create redevelopment plans for two properties that were formerly part of Resolute Forest Products' pulp and paper mill operations, and $18,000 for the Rainy River Future Development Corporation to study the feasibility of developing a modular house manufacturing facility in the region.
"This support will be used to conduct a land use and economic feasibility study for the redevelopment of the Shevlin wood yard and the former nursing station, creating a gateway to the Rainy Lake Market Square," said June Caul, Mayor of Fort Frances.
Both projects are being funded through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) which provides financial assistance to projects that stimulate growth and job creation. Since June 2018, the corporation has invested more than $147 million in more than 1,000 projects in Northern Ontario. The investment, says the province, has leveraged more than $699 million in investment and created or retained over 3,000 jobs.
"We have heard feedback from northerners who want NOHFC programs to be open to a broader range of businesses and workers so that the unique needs of Northern Ontario communities are met," said Rickford. "Through these proposed changes, Ontario's government will continue to build strong and resilient communities while supporting an environment where businesses can thrive, grow and create good jobs."