June 29, 2006

The province is providing $130,000 to establish a community economic development office in Leaf Rapids, Industry, Economic Development and Mines Minister Jim Rondeau announced today.

The two-year, cost-shared funding establishes an office and funds an economic development officer, who is responsible for planning, business prospecting, and business consulting and plan preparation.

"The work of this office is to develop business prospects and to promote economic initiatives and tourism," said Rondeau.

The officer reports directly to the mayor and council as well as the Leaf Rapids Development Corporation.

Since 2002, the province has provided $1.6 million in support of workforce and economic diversification initiatives from the Mining Community Reserve Fund.

The Mining Community Reserve Fund was created in 1970 to assist communities that are adversely affected by mine closures. The fund is provided by provincial mining tax revenues.