WILKIE AREA SBLA RECOGNIZED FOR 31 JOBS CREATED

Released on April 15, 1999

Battlefords-Cut Knife MLA Sharon Murrell, on behalf of Economic and

Co-operative Development Minister Janice MacKinnon, today recognized

the Wilkie Development Corporation for its job creation record through

the Small Business Loans Association (SBLA) program.



The corporation has created 26 full-time jobs, 5 part-time jobs and

maintained an additional 20 jobs. During 1998, small businesses

supported by the SBLA program created more than 360 jobs and

maintained over 565 more, mostly in rural communities. This brought

the total number of jobs created and maintained since the program

began to almost 12,800.



Murrell presented a certificate, on behalf of Minister MacKinnon, to

Eugene Boucher, the corporation's chairperson.



"I am happy to be able to honour the Wilkie Development Corporation

for its efforts," Murrell said. "SBLAs are an important part of the

province's focus on investing at the local level, working with people

to create jobs and opportunities in their own area."



Examples of local businesses assisted by SBLA loans include vehicle

repair shops, insurance agencies and home repair businesses.



Under the SBLA program, the government provides funding to local

SBLA organizations. In turn, SBLAs provide loans to businesses

that have experienced difficulty accessing financing through

traditional means.



Improvements to the program announced in the new provincial

budget include an increase in each SBLA's interest-free revolving

line of credit from $50,000 to $100,000. As well, an SBLA can

now make loans to a maximum of $10,000, up from $5,000.



"The job creation efforts of the Wilkie Development Corporation

are a great example of what can be accomplished when the

government and communities work in partnership," Murrell said.

"By working in partnership, the SBLAs are helping rural

businesses grow -- building our economy, creating jobs and

keeping our province healthy and strong."



- 30 -



For more information, contact:



Bob Ellis

Economic and Co-operative Development

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-1691