Ministry of Northern Development and Mines honoured

Ministry of Northern Development and Mines today won the 2003 Service Sector Award, presented by the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce.

The award was accepted by Eileen Forestell, manager of the ministry's Sault Ste. Marie area team.

The following material was supplied to SooToday.com by the Chamber:

******************* Service Sector Award

Sponsored by: Community Development Corporation This award is presented to a government department that has demonstrated a willingness to go beyond the normal call of duty to assist businesses in their dealings with that government department.

This award seeks to recognize and reward the enhancement of relations and service in the government and non-commercial sectors.

The Community Development Corporation sponsors the Service Sector Award in support of strengthening relations between government and the private sector.

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We salute the Ministry of Northern Development & Mines Regional Economic Development Branch Staff for their diligent work and we commend their team for continually demonstrating a willingness to assist the Sault and area business community.

We commend the ministry for their efforts to focus on delivering front line services in Northern Ontario and also for taking a more active role at Queen’s Park to ensure that the decisions made for Northern Ontario make sense.

Offices for the Sault Ste. Marie Area Team of the Ministry of Northern Development & Mines were established at 70 Foster Drive, Suite 200 in 1997.

They are a provincial government agency and the only regional ministry within the government that provides a central role in northern Ontario business affairs.

The Ministry of Northern Development & Mines delivers economic development programs and services of various ministries.

The Ministry provides guidance to clients and input into provincial economic development programs and policies.

It supports the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, Trade and Investment and Marketing Initiatives as well provides assistance for local service boards.

The MNDM facilitates consultation with Northerners on policy ideas and assist communities to identify economic development priorities and opportunities.

Some recent examples of the financial contributions awarded to Sault Ste. Marie as a result from their work includes the investment of $100,000 to promote the Eco-Challenge, a major outdoor adventure race that recently took place in Sault Ste. Marie.

A $400,000 investment in 3 area communities to support enhanced fire protection services by the Local Services Board of Aweres, the upgrade of water services for Batchewana First Nation residents and the refurbishment of Garden River First Nation’s community centre.

The investment of more than $2.3 million in an Algoma University College partnership to foster educational and business opportunities in information and communications technology.

As well as the investment of $6.8 million to launch a major Northern Ontario Tourism Marketing initiative.

Please join me in congratulating The Ministry of Northern Development & Mines!

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To read about other winners of this year's Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, please click here.