More than $178 million invested in rural economy since 2003
Farms.com
As many as 10 central Ontario-based projects received approval for provincial government funding from the Rural Economic Development Program (RED).
Included in them, Barrie will receive up to $15,000 to determine if a year-round farmer’s market in the city’s downtown core is a viable option.
The Ontario Water Centre in Simcoe will receive up to $100,000 to come up with a plan to launch the Clear Water Farm for research, learning and innovation.
Milton’s Heritage Agricultural Society will get as much as $68,245 to develop business, programming and other strategies for Country Heritage Park.
Ontario’s RED is involved in many initiatives across the province.
“A strong, prosperous Ontario includes vibrant, economically diverse rural communities. Our commitment to rural Ontario is unwavering. By providing economic development support at both the local and regional level, the Rural Economic Development program will help rural Ontario’s economy, and its communities, grow stronger,” said Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Jeff Leal.
The province re-launched RED projects in 2013 and has since invested more than $21.8 million, creating more than $120 million in economy activity across 150 provincial projects; they’ve also increase their investment amount from $10 million to $14.5 million.