News
Ottawa invests in Greater Sudbury
BY TIM PERRY
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The federal government is investing $975,000 in Greater Sudbury, and some of the money will be used to come up with a strategic plan for the future of the historic downtown core.
This funding is part of the federal government's Economic Action Plan, and was announced by Kenora MP Greg Rickford at press conference at Tom Davies Square earlier this month.
The city has hired consultants to develop a strategic plan and $122,500 of federal money will be spent on the study.
The last time a plan was formed was more than 15 years ago, so a new plan is needed to adjust for a number of changes, including political considerations since the last plan was created before amalgamation, said Maureen Luoma, executive director of Downtown Sudbury. There are 17 partners involved in this project, and Downtown Sudbury is one of them.
There are several projects in the planning stage that will impact the downtown region, including a school of architecture.
The Art Gallery of Sudbury received funding from FedNor of $85,000 to complete a business plan and conceptual design for the gallery's new home. Part of the money will also go to a new marketing strategy. The gallery is currently housed in the Bell Mansion on John St.
The Grassroots Economic Opportunity Development & Evaluation (GEODE) will receive $121,337 for support of its Stepping Stone Entrepreneurship Program for one year. This program is designed to promote home-based businesses, and small start-up companies by providing business development training and access to small business loans.
The Regional Business Centre will be receiving $184,200 for various programs, such as the FedNor Business Plan Challenge for local high school students, Bridges to Better Business, and the Young Professionals' Association.
The Mining Innovation, Rehabilitation and Applied Research Corporation (MIRARCO) will receive $10,000 to support the 13th US/North American Mine Ventilation Symposium in Sudbury (June 13-16, 2010). The money will be used to co-ordinate the symposium, and offset the cost of equipment rentals.
Ontario's North Economic Development Corporation will receive $60,000 for a study of the mining supply and service industry's economic impact. This study will identify investment opportunities within Northern Ontario.
FedNor's Youth Internship Program will receive $219,176 to create eight intern positions at various organizations within the city, including, Habitat for Humanity, the Sudbury District Nurse Practitioner Clinics, the Independence Centre and Network, Centre Franco-Ontarien des Ressources en Alphabétisation, Salon du Livre du Grand Sudbury, Penguin Automated Systems, and two positions at the City of Greater Sudbury offices.
