Released on May 15, 2009
Two northern Saskatchewan villages, Beauval and Green Lake, have received $125,000 to draw up economic development plans as part of the government's support to strengthen economic opportunities and revitalize communities affected by the negative impact of the downturn in the forest sector.
The Village of Beauval will receive $50,000 for its economic development plan. The community has been affected by the scaling back of the Tolko OSB plant operations in the area and the slump in the forest industry, resulting in the loss of full-time and part-time jobs.
The Village of Green Lake, which was affected by the closure of the Weyerhaeuser Pulp Mill in Prince Albert, has been allocated $75,000 for its economic development plan. The community has similarly lost jobs and businesses that serviced the forest industry.
"Beauval and Green Lake are heading in the right direction by carrying out a study to identify their economic strengths and how to develop them," Enterprise and Innovation Minister Lyle Stewart said. "These villages will be joining several other Saskatchewan communities who have decided to turn downturn into an opportunity to look at alternative economic activities that will revitalize their communities and make them attractive to new and existing businesses."
"This funding will help support the transformation initiatives that will be a key factor in future planning for economic diversity," First Nations and Métis Relations Minister and Minister responsible for Northern Affairs June Draude said. "Beauval and Green Lake will be better equipped to develop economic opportunities that exist in their areas for the enhancement of their communities and sequentially the province of Saskatchewan."
In 2008, the federal government announced a $1 billion Community Development Trust Fund (CDTF) intended to help support activities that strengthen economic opportunities for communities negatively affected by global financial and commodity market disruption.
Saskatchewan's share of the fund is $36.4 million over three years. The forestry sector and its communities are being targeted for priority spending in Saskatchewan given the historic downturn that has occurred in this sector. Last year, the province conducted needs consultations in various communities that were dependant on the forest industry.
Funding requests from other communities are still being finalized and further details will be provided once this process is complete. The application and guidelines are posted on Enterprise Saskatchewan's website at www.enterprisesaskatchewan.ca.
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For more information, contact:
Tim Tororey
Enterprise Saskatchewan
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5582
Email: tim.tororey@enterprisesask.ca