Ontario Driving Economic Growth in Niagara
Niagara Falls – Today, Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West, announced that the Niagara Falls Innovation Hub will receive up to $97,650 in funding through the latest intake of the Rural Economic Development Program. The Rural Economic Development Program supports projects that diversify and grow local economies, build community capacity and address barriers to economic development and labour force challenges.
In Niagara, the funding will help support the Niagara Innovation Cluster Helping Entrepreneurs Project at the Niagara Falls Innovation Hub, a mentorship program that brings together industry leaders and entrepreneurs to support best practices and innovative ideas to support rural economic development across the region.
Through the most recent intake of the Rural Economic Development Program, the Ontario government is investing more than $5.7 million in eighty-five projects throughout the province. These projects are helping create jobs and boost economic development in rural communities in Ontario. The intake for these approved projects closed on February 21, 2024.
“Since 2016, the Niagara Falls Innovation Hub has been an invaluable resource for local entrepreneurs and business leaders,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.
“This investment by our government through the Rural Economic Development Program will help create jobs and boost growth in rural communities right across Niagara.”
MPP Oosterhoff was joined at a rural economic development roundtable in Vineland Station by Steve Pinsonneault, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Rural Affairs, along with Dan Bordenave, Chief Executive Officer of the Niagara Falls Innovation Hub, to announce the provincial funding.
“Our government recognizes the importance of rural economic development, and this program provides municipalities, Indigenous communities and not-for-profits with the funding they need for projects that contribute to local economic vitality,” said Hon. Lisa Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs.
“The Rural Economic Development Program is another example of how our government is ensuring small towns and rural communities across Ontario continue to share in the province’s growth and economic prosperity.”
“Our government is committed to supporting rural Ontario through the Rural Economic Development Program,” said Steve Pinsonneault, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Rural Affairs.
“The projects we are investing in will incorporate the right tools necessary to help build the best possible future for the entire province.”
“We are profoundly grateful to the province for their generous investment in the Niagara Innovation Cluster Helping Entrepreneurs Project of the Niagara Falls Innovation Hub,” said Dan Bordenave, Chief Executive Officer of the Niagara Falls Innovation Hub.
“This initiative will offer crucial support to Niagara’s key sectors – agriculture, healthcare/life sciences, manufacturing and tourism. Our mission is to provide businesses in these sectors with specialized programming, coaching and events that will foster growth and innovation. Achieving this goal would not be possible without the enthusiastic support from the City of Niagara Falls and Economic Development Department of the Regional Municipality of Niagara. Together, we will uplift local businesses and attract new ventures to the region, strengthening Niagara’s position as a global leader in innovation and unlocking potential for generations to come.”
The Rural Economic Development Program provides cost-share funding support towards activities that create strong rural communities. This includes funding assistance to build local capacity and improve job prospects. The Rural Economic Advisory Panel provides recommendations to the minister on applications for funding. The Rural Economic Development Program aligns with the government’s priorities of removing barriers to investment, opening doors to rural economic development, and creating good jobs across the province.