Patricia Rémillard, Project Manager, Kemptville Campus; Mayor Nancy Peckford; Steve Clark, MPP, Rachel; and North Grenville CAO, Brian Carré at the announcement of the RED grant to Kemptville Campus

Grenville will receive $36,000 through the province’s Rural Economic Development (RED) program designed to help rural and Indigenous communities attract investment and create and retain jobs. Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark made the announcement last Friday, at the Kemptville Campus. Standing alongside North Grenville Mayor Nancy Peckford, Minister Clark stated that the municipality will receive the funding to complete a Campus Master Plan. The project was approved through the last intake of the program in 2018, said Steve, who made the announcement on behalf of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Ernie Hardeman.

“I’m so proud of the work the Municipality of North Grenville has done to revitalize the Kemptville Campus and attract new tenants to this important community asset,” he said. “With this investment, our government is helping to ensure that as the campus celebrates its 100th anniversary this fall, the municipality can continue the renewal so it remains a hub for education and economic opportunity for the next century.”

“While plans for the Campus continue to evolve, the municipality is very enthused about the possibilities for education, sustainable business incubation and agricultural innovation in the months and years ahead. There is a great deal to be hopeful about,” said Mayor Peckford.

As announced earlier this year, the RED program has been revitalized to ensure projects will result in tangible benefits to rural communities and to improve the application process and program delivery. Applications to the updated program are now being accepted until September 9, 2019.

The updated RED program has two new project categories. There is an Economic Diversification and Competitiveness Stream: Projects that remove barriers to business and job growth, attract investment, attract or retain a skilled workforce, or strengthen sector and regional partnerships and diversify regional economies. The second category is the Strategic Economic Infrastructure Stream: Minor capital projects that advance economic development and investment opportunities.

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