PORCUPINE PLAIN GROUP HELPS CREATE JOBS

Released on August 16, 1999

Porcupine Plain area businesses have created 29 jobs and maintained another 8

jobs thanks to the work of a local small business loans co-operative.



Carrot River Valley MLA Andy Renaud was in Porcupine Plain today to honour the

Quilly Willy Loans Co-operative for its job creation record through the

province's Small Business Loans Association (SBLA) program.



"The job creation successes of the Quilly Willy Loans Co-operative illustrate

what can be accomplished when the government and communities work in

partnership," Renaud said, speaking on behalf of Economic and Co-operative

Development Minister Janice MacKinnon.



During 1998, small businesses supported by the SBLA program created more than

360 jobs and maintained 565 more, mostly in rural communities. This brought

the total number of jobs created and maintained since the program began to

almost 13,600.



Under the program, the government provides funding to local SBLA

organizations. In turn, SBLAs provide loans to businesses that require

alternative financing.



-30-



For more information contact:



Bob Ellis

Economic and Co-operative Development

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-1691