Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, 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 $1,041,192 to support three strategic initiatives that will benefit businesses, families and individuals in Atikameksheng Anishnawbek (AA). MP Serré was joined by Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Sudbury, for the announcement, which was made on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor.
First, a targeted investment of $575,199 helped Giyak Mashkawzid Shkagmikwe (GMS), AA's economic development corporation, purchase a new diamond drill. The drill will be owned by GMS and leased to GMS' joint venture, Bagone'an JS Drilling Inc., for use in resource exploration and mine development. This priority project reflects economic reconciliation in action by supporting the community in self-determined economic development. In addition to business expansion, this funding is helping the AA form new strategic alliances while positioning community to better respond to opportunities in the mining sector.
As part of the announcement, FedNor funding of $465,993 is helping GMS complete phase two ($238,297) and phase three ($227,696) of the community's Chi-Zhiingwaak business park development. The funding will be used to prepare the business lots for occupancy. This includes supporting design, engineering and marketing costs, lot grading and the extension of road, water, wastewater, electrical, natural gas and telecommunications services to the 15 unoccupied lots. Once fully occupied, the designated 26-hectare business park is expected to create more than 170 jobs for First Nation community members and close to 200 more across the region.
The Indigenous economy in Canada is estimated at more than $30 billion, with growth projections outpacing the overall national economy. The federal government remains strongly committed to supporting its continued growth by investing in Indigenous-led initiatives that help communities, businesses and organizations innovate, scale up and build for the future. This is especially true in Northern Ontario, which is home to a large proportion of Indigenous-owned small and medium-sized businesses.
