Jun 01, 2010- 10:15 AM
Greater Sudbury Mayor John Rodriguez said funding injections such as these are important for the city's economy.
“We can't do it (economic development) without partnerships,” Rodriguez said, speaking at a press conference at Tom Davies Square.
“Partnering with the federal government is extremely important for projects such as moving the development of the downtown forward,” he noted. “It is not every day that the federal government comes around with a million dollar cheque.”
Sixteen community development projects and youth initiatives were announced.
Projects funded included:
-$85,000 to the Art Gallery of Sudbury to allow it to complete a business plan and concept design for a new site
-$122,500 to the city for development of a new plan and action strategy to help revitalize the downtown district
-$121,337 to the Grassroots Economic Opportunity Development and Evaluation (GEODE) project to support the non-profit organization's Stepping Stone Loan program for new entrepreneurs
-$184,200 to Greater Sudbury's Regional Business Centre to support its ongoing operations to support local business
-$219,176 to FedNor's Youth Internship Program, which helps youth transition from campus to the workplace, and gives community groups a chance to increase their marketing efforts
-Among the groups receiving intern funding (of up to $27,500) are the City of Greater Sudbury, Habitat for Humanity, Independence Centre and Network (ICAN), Salon du Livre du Grand Sudbury, Centre Franco-Ontarien des Ressources en Alphabétisation, Sudbury District Nurse Practitioner Clinics and Penguin Automated Systems Inc.
Rickford was standing in for Tony Clement, federal Minister of Industry and responsible for FedNor, the source of the funds.
“Our government will continue to deliver on its commitment to bolster the economic outlook for Greater Sudbury and communities across the north,” Rickford said, in a press release. “I am positive these investments will deliver positive results for residents and businesses throughout the area,” he continued
The funds were accessed through the federal government's Economic Action Plan, designed to help communities overcome challenges brought on by the global economic slump, Rickford added.
He said he already saw evidence of federal funding as he drove in from the Sudbury airport.
“I see Canada's Economic Action Plan signs everywhere along the route,” he said.
One of the projects announced by Rickford is to allow the municipality to develop a new vision, plan and action strategy to help revitalize the city's downtown district. The federal contribution of $122,500 matches the city's contribution.
Maureen Luoma, executive director of Downtown Sudbury, said there are many projects to be sited in the downtown or being discussed including the school of architecture, the art gallery, and the French cultural centre.
“It is time for a master plan for the downtown so we have a road map for where we are going and where we want to go,” Luoma said.
“This funding will move it (a master plan) forward.
Stéphane Gauthier, president of Salon du livre du Grand Sudbury's board and executive director of Carrefour francophone, said he thinks the announcement is good for francophones.
He said the francophone community is participating in the master plan for the downtown, and will thereby benefit from the federal announcement.
“Now we can move on and really plan for a French community centre for the downtown,” he said.
Carrefour francophone moved into the former residence of Ste-Anne-des-Pins parish, located on Beech Street, in January, but Gauthier said then the move was only temporary until a permanent much bigger full fledged francophone community centre is built.
“You see francophone schools. You see franco-Ontarian flags but you need to dream of a restaurant, a bar in a place (a cultural centre) where you can breathe francophone air and know what is all about and what it means for Greater Sudbury.”
Art Gallery of Sudbury director Karen Tait-Peacock said the federal funding will help the arts facility implement a site plan and feasibility study for relocating the art gallery to a larger space.
“The funding also means laying the groundwork for a capital campaign for the new gallery and a business plan for the first five years it.”
