The past 2 weeks have been 2 of the busiest weeks that I have had as your Member of Parliament. A number of announcements were made both locally and nationally that will have an excellent impact on this riding.

Local News
On Tuesday, September 1st, the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) programs were announced at the North America Railway Hall of Fame~ CASO Station in St. Thomas. 6 projects, totaling over $5.2 million, received funding under CAF in Elgin-Middlesex-London. Recipients in EML for the first round of funding include The North America Railway Hall of Fame for restoration of the CASO Station ($$2, 768, 380); The Arts and Cookery Bank to restore and equip a heritage building ($265, 622);The County of Elgin to hire 2 Community Development Officers ($245, 738); The Municipality of Bayham to do a feasibility study on ferry service to Fairport Harbour, Ohio ($92, 000); The Elgin Business Resource Centre to develop marketing strategy and plan to promote locally grown crops ($257, 450); and The City of St. Thomas to reconstruct Wellington St. ($1, 640, 000)
For more details: http://www.joeprestonmp.ca/EN/3634/95933

The Municipality of West Elgin celebrated the Grand Opening of the West Elgin Water Treatment Plant. Funding was provided by COMRIF and the project was completed earlier this year. http://www.joeprestonmp.ca/EN/3634/95621

Events
Regardless of the pouring rain throughout the day, the 3rd Annual Joe Preston Appreciation BBQ was a great success. The skies cleared as over 350 constituents enjoyed beautiful Pinafore Park while munching on fabulous hotdogs.  Thank you to Art Manninger, Norma Money, Ken Money and Brian Clements for helping with the event. http://www.joeprestonmp.ca/EN/3649/95782

The Elgin Business Resource Centre (EBRC) and the Middlesex Community Futures (MDF) received additional funding to provide additional loan capital for entrepreneurs.  $500,000 was awarded to EBRC and $450,000 was awarded to MCF.
Additional information is available at

Government Happenings
Joe hosted the Honourable Gary Goodyear visited Elgin-Middlesex-London and surrounding ridings on Tuesday, September 1st.  During his tour the minister announced on behalf of the Government of Canada $50,000,000 of additional funding to the Business Development Bank of Canada. http://www.joeprestonmp.ca/EN/3634/95969

Joe Preston joined fellow MP’s including The Honourable Diane Finley, MP Bev Shipley, MP Dave MacKenzie and MP Phil McColeman in Delhi to launch the Sand Plains Community Fund to assist communities to transition the local economy from tobacco. An additional $15, 000, 000 is available on top of the current CAF, Building Canada and FedDev Funds available to our communities.

Joe announced funding provided through NRC-IRAP to AV-Base located in London, Ontario.  This locally owned company received over $348,000 under Minister Gary Goodyear through research and technology. http://www.joeprestonmp.ca/EN/3634/95527

Citizen Recognition
Congratulations to the Iron Horse Organizing Committee on the extremely success Iron Horse Festival.  Your community spirit and enthusiasm continues to make the event a spectacular showing of our history and our future.

Meetings and Delegations
Joe took part in a number of meetings including the County of Elgin to continue discussions on erosion; roundtable discussions with The Honourable Gary Goodyear and the City of London and local businesses in London; and many constituents.

Once again, thank you for reading!
Have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend!

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