News from some place between Searchmont and Wawa

NEWS RELEASE

MINISTRY OF NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT AND MINES

************************* Province helps Algoma tourist operator cut power costs New program invests in internal energy generation project

SUDBURY – The Ontario government is supporting the use of alternative energy sources in the North by investing in the installation of a power storage system at a tourism resort north of Sault Ste. Marie, Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci announced today.

"Our government is helping northern businesses pursue alternative energy generation projects to reduce their operating costs," said Bartolucci.

"This project will help the tourist operator acquire a power storage system and reduce current fuel consumption," he said.

Halfway Haven, an all-season tourist resort located between Searchmont and Wawa, will receive $2,700 from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to acquire a power storage system with batteries that will be charged from the current diesel generator.

Using the stored power will allow the generator to be shut down for approximately ten hours a day.

In January 2007, the government introduced the new Northern Energy Program to assist eligible northern organizations to capitalize on energy opportunities.

It encourages private and public sector partners to pursue clean renewable energy generation capacity that will reduce their demand on external energy sources.

This program includes support for renewable energy initiatives to help mitigate incremental costs of doing business in Northern Ontario, new internal energy generation projects as well as energy conservation pilot projects.

"Our new Northern Energy Program does not depend on co-funding from the federal government and we are confident it will generate a significant number of new projects that will boost construction and long-term job creation in the North," said Bartolucci, who also chairs the NOHFC.

"I am very pleased that we are continuing to offer support for the popular New Internal Energy Generation Projects portion of the former program which, to date, has contributed nearly $820,000 in the North for 28 energy projects, such as wind and solar power initiatives," he said.

Other McGuinty government initiatives for northern prosperity include:

- Enhancing tourism by making the largest single NOHFC investment of $15 million towards the Sault Ste. Marie Major Destination Project

- Investing nearly $8.7 million to date, from the NOHFC, to provide internships and work placements to help some 475 young northerners launch their careers in the North

- Refocusing the NOHFC's Emerging Technology Program to help bring broadband Internet to most of the North within three years and to expand cellular service

This NOHFC project is part of the government's Northern Prosperity Plan for building stronger northern communities.

The Northern Prosperity Plan has four pillars: strengthening the North and its communities; listening to and serving Northerners better; competing globally; and providing opportunities for all.

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