A community abattoir and a trout-stocking venture are among the business development initiatives on Manitoulin Island that have received FedNor funding totalling $835,702.
The largest chunk will go to the Manitoulin Island Community Abattoir (MICA), which got $483,712, just a week after securing provincial funding for the project, to build a kill-and-chill facility on a 10-acre property in Central Manitoulin. The plant will enable more than 70 Manitoulin farmers to finish their livestock closer to home, and give local consumers a chance to consume more locally produced meat.
Also a beneficiary, the Northern Ontario Aquaculture Association will use its share, $269,490, for operations and the development of a rainbow trout-stocking program. The initiative would help the association grow more rainbow trout for market, creating up to eight full-time positions.
With its $82,500, the Manitoulin Wind and Solar Institute will provide advisory services to businesses looking to adopt green energy generation and conservation. The Manitoulin Wind and Solar Institute was formed in 2009 as a joint initiative of the M'Chigeeng First Nation and Sault College with a focus of conservation, education and job creation.
Clement also provided funding to a pair of tourism projects.
The Manitoulin Tourism Association received $24,000 for A Taste of Manitoulin, a food festival held in early June. The goal is to make the fair an annual event, which will build on the agricultural strengths of the area and draw visitors to Manitoulin.
In addition, the Municipality of Central Manitoulin received $17,440 for a marketing campaign to promote the inaugural Ride Manitoulin motorcycle festival, held in mid-July in Providence Bay, to markets outside of Northern Ontario.
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