Grant aimed at helping Perth’s economic growth

Ontario is spending $1,152,500 to help Perth County and its partners implement a community revitalization project to promote economic growth, attract investment and provide support to local businesses, Perth-Wellington MPP John Wilkinson announced at a media event last Friday.

The partners will work together to revitalize the downtown areas in the region and develop strategies to provide more opportunities for existing businesses to expand and attract new investment to the area, states a press release issued after the event. The county will also work to promote a number of youth development programs and encourage youth to return to Perth County after completing their post-secondary education.

The funding is part of the Rural Economic Development Program which invests in community-based projects in three priority areas: Improved access to health-care services; Revitalized communities and downtowns; Enhanced skills training.

“This initiative will give the County of Perth the tools it needs to explore and develop new ways to retain and attract new business. In the long term, new jobs will be created for the community to help build a more prosperous rural Ontario,” said Wilkinson.

“This project will help increase competitiveness, identify and address any immediate business concerns and maintain and create jobs for our community,” said Perth County Warden Ron McKay.
Since 2003, Ontario has invested $59.6 million in 182 projects through the Rural Economic Development Program.