It was a good day to be in farming in West Nipissing.
FedNor, the federal government’s funding agency for Northern Ontario, delivered more $832,000 to agriculture, agri-food and equine-related businesses in the northeast.
Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré made the announcement in Verner on Aug.15, the host community of next month’s International Plowing Match (IPM), between North Bay and Sudbury. The agricultural exhibition runs Sept. 17-21.
Ottawa cut a $564,075 cheque for Economic Partners Sudbury East - West Nipissing Inc. in order to send 60 agriculture-related business off to this fall’s Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto.
They’ll set up temporary shop in the Northern Ontario Agri-Food Pavilion at Exhibition Place for the Nov. 1-10 show. The event is attended by more than 300,000 visitors every year.
“Nickel Belt-Greater Sudbury is known for its agriculture and farming history. I’m thrilled we are helping up to 60 Northern Ontario businesses increase sales and grow their operations by showcasing their products and services to consumers and investors from around the world,” Serré said a news release.
He also announced funding of $225,000 to prepare 1,000 acres of farmland that will host the 2019 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo.
That comes in the form of new culverts and drainage systems, road enhancements, site improvements and fencing.
“Hosting IPM 2019 is an historic opportunity for West Nipissing and I’m thrilled that FedNor is investing to help us capitalize on this once-in-a-lifetime event,” said Plowing Match Chair Neil Fox.
The feds are also making $63,000 available to fund a marketing and promotions coordinator position for the Municipality of West Nipissing over two years.
