The province is providing $120,000 over three years to fund a community economic development officer in Snow Lake, Science, Technology, Energy and Mines Minister Jim Rondeau announced today.

 

“This funding will assist the Snow Lake community in capitalizing on local strengths to deliver sustainable, long-term economic development opportunities,” Rondeau said.  “This new funding reflects our commitment to supporting sustainable economic ventures in Manitoba’s northern mining communities.”

 

The economic development officer co-ordinates business prospecting, consulting, plan preparation and implementation.  Rondeau said Snow Lake’s economic development office is enhancing economic growth in the community, with a focus on cottage lot infrastructure development, vacant housing market development and tourism.

 

An additional $25,000 contribution from Manitoba Competitiveness, Training and Trade will further support the work of the economic development office.

 

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 people residing in mining communities who are adversely affected by partial or complete mine closures.  The reserve is funded by provincial mining tax revenues.

 

Last month, the province unveiled a new provincial action plan to boost economic development opportunities across rural and northern Manitoba.  The action plan stems from the recommendations contained in the Creating Opportunities committee report, the product of consultations with more than 330 participants in communities across the province.

 

The new action plan will guide new economic development initiatives in six areas including alternative energy, tourism, agriculture, natural resources, industry services and manufacturing, and Aboriginal and northern initiatives.

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