Sturgeon Falls, ON - Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario - FedNor
Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministers of Energy and Natural Resources and Official Languages, today announced a FedNor investment of $147,000 for two projects that will pave the way for new opportunities for Francophones and businesses in West Nipissing and surrounding areas. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor.
As part of the announcement, the Conseil des Arts de Nipissing Ouest received $97,000 to develop a strategic plan. Designed to improve programming, services and profitability, the plan will help guide future decision making and serve as a roadmap for the organization so it can expand, enhance programming and maximize its social and economic impact on the region. Provided through FedNor's Economic Development Initiative (EDI), this project supports the Government of Canada's Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-2028: Protection-Promotion-Collaboration. The Action Plan for Official Languages represents $1.4 billion over five years in new investments in the form of 32 new or enhanced measures to be implemented under four pillars: Francophone immigration, official language learning, community development and government leading by example.
The remaining $50,000 will help pave the way for the Municipality of West Nipissing to transform the former Sturgeon Falls mill site into prime business development property. Specifically, the funding will be used to complete a Phase II Environmental Assessment so the municipality can develop a remediation strategy for the property. Strategically located on Trans-Canada Highway 17, near the Highway 11 junction, the redevelopment of this 27-acre parcel of land will create new social and economic opportunities including business development and growth, affordable housing, and re-establishing a strong connection between the community and the Sturgeon River through the creation of a vibrant riverfront park and mixed-use urban space.
