SHELL LAKE AND SPIRITWOOD SBLAs RECOGNIZED FOR 82 JOBS CREATED

Released on April 16, 1999

Shellbrook-Spiritwood MLA Lloyd Johnson, on behalf of Economic and

Co-operative Development Minister Janice MacKinnon, today recognized

the Shell Lake Co-operative Lending Association and the Spiritwood

Economic Development Co-operative for their job creation records

through the Small Business Loans Association (SBLA) program.



The two organizations have helped create 74 full-time jobs, eight

part-time jobs, and maintain an additional 51 jobs in the area.

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.



On behalf of MacKinnon, Johnson presented job creation certificates to

Dave Walley, chairperson of the Shell Lake Co-operative Lending

Association, which has created 31 full-time jobs, six part-time jobs,

and sustained an additional eight part-time jobs; and to Carl Kajner,

chairperson of the Spiritwood Economic Development Co-operative which

has created 43 full-time jobs, two part-time jobs, and sustained an

additional 43 jobs.



Examples of local businesses assisted by SBLA loans include grocery

stores, vehicle repair shops and tourism-related ventures.

"I am pleased to be able to honour the Shell Lake Co-operative

Lending Association and the Spiritwood Economic Development

Co-operative," Johnson said. "SBLAs are an essential part of the

province's focus on working with communities to create

opportunities and jobs for Saskatchewan people."



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 growth the province has seen as a result of SBLA funding is

an example of what can be achieved when the government and

communities work together," Johnson said. "The kind of growth

brought about by SBLAs plays an important part in building our

rural economy, creating employment opportunities, and keeping our

communities viable."



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For more information, contact:



Bob Ellis

Economic and Co-operative Development

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-1691