Harper Government invests in small- and medium-sized businesses

December 15, 2009

Intake Two of the Community Adjustment Fund supports economic recovery and job creation

ST. CATHARINES, ON – Community organizations, small to medium-sized businesses, and municipalities that have been affected by the global recession can now apply for funding under Intake Two of the Community Adjustment Fund. Speaking at the St. Catharines-Thorold Chamber of Commerce, the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario) today launched the second phase of the program, which is part of the government’s Economic Action Plan.

“The Community Adjustment Fund is creating jobs and stimulating the economy in southern Ontario,” said Minister Goodyear. “This expanded intake process will help people, organizations and businesses in smaller communities prosper now and in the future.”

SMEs, municipalities, not-for-profits, Aboriginal organizations, colleges and universities are all eligible to submit projects.

The Community Adjustment Fund will support projects in and around resource-based and manufacturing communities depending on a single industry. The fund will invest in projects that create immediate job opportunities for communities. It will focus not only on economic development, but innovation and diversification.

Overall funding for the second intake process is $127.8 million in 2010-11.

Applications for funding in 2010-11 will be accepted from December 15, 2009, to January 18, 2010.
For additional details on program eligibility, please see the backgrounder. To download an application, please visit www.southernontario.gc.ca.

CAF is one of a series of initiatives, unveiled as part of the Economic Action Plan, to help communities address the short-term challenges from the economic downturn and prepare them for long-term growth.

For media enquiries:

Gary Toft                       
Director of Communications               
Office of the Honourable Gary Goodyear           
(613) 943 7599

This news release is available online at www.southernontario.gc.ca and www.actionplan.gc.ca.