Released on April 19, 1999
Shellbrook-Spiritwood MLA Lloyd Johnson, on behalf of Economic andCo-operative Development Minister Janice MacKinnon, today recognized
the Glaslyn/Medstead Economic Development Co-operative for its job
creation record through the Small Business Loans Association (SBLA)
program.
The co-operative has created 51 full-time jobs, seven part-time jobs,
and maintained an additional 25 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.
Johnson presented a job creation certificate, on behalf of MacKinnon,
to Randy Kirkland, the co-operative's chairperson.
"I am pleased to be able to honour the Glaslyn/Medstead Economic
Development Co-operative in this way," Johnson said. "SBLAs are an
important part of the province's focus on investing at the local
level, working with people to create employment opportunities in their
own communities."
Examples of local businesses assisted by SBLA loans include
restaurants, vehicle repair businesses and wood product
operations.
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 Glaslyn/Medstead Economic
Development Co-operative are a great example of the Saskatchewan
spirit of co-operation government and communities working
together towards a common goal," Johnson said. "The growth that
is initiated by SBLAs plays an important role in building our
rural economy, creating jobs, and keeping our society healthy and
strong."
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For more information, contact:
Bob Ellis
Economic and Co-operative Development
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-1691