Proposed Wawa IT centre gets goosed by Ernie Eves

A proposed information technology (IT) telecommunications centre for Wawa got a boost today from the Ontario Government.

The province will provide $15,000 toward the $30,000 cost of a feasiblity study for the Wawa IT centre.

Wawa's Economic Development Corp. and the Township of Michipicoten will pay the balance.

The following announcment was made tonight by the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing:

**************************************************************** Eves government to support technology development in Michipicoten Township

WAWA, ON, Aug. 29 - The Ernie Eves government is investing $15,000 to support the creation of a telecommunications centre in Wawa, Ernie Hardeman, Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing responsible for Rural Affairs, announced today.

This project aims to conduct a feasibility study and develop a business plan to create an information technology (IT) centre.

The core element of this facility will be a 40-seat telecommunications centre that could also support the 911 emergency dispatch services in the north.

Other departments, including an IT training centre and a data warehouse, would be determined by the results of the feasibility study.

"This initiative supports our commitment to Smart Growth in northeastern Ontario by encouraging the diversification of the economy and the retention of young people," said Hardeman.

"It's about creating and retaining jobs in the Township of Michipicoten."

The Economic Development Corporation of Wawa and the Township of Michipicoten will fund the balance of this $30,000 project.

"We are delighted by this show of confidence from the government," said Mr. Eric Parlowe, chief executive officer, Economic Development Corporation of Wawa.

"This project will stimulate and develop the information technology skills of the local labour pool." The five-year, $200-million Rural Economic Development (RED) program is a component of the Ontario Small Town and Rural (OSTAR) Development Initiative - a two-part, $600-million initiative launched in 2000 to assist rural Ontario.

To date, the province has invested more than $76 million in 90 approved OSTAR-RED projects, generating total investments of more than $432 million.

The RED program aims to remove barriers to economic growth in rural Ontario by promoting a diversified business climate, exploring new products and new markets, creating long-term job growth, and investing in technologies and sectors that contribute to economic development in rural Ontario.

OSTAR-RED is one of a number of programs delivered by the new Rural Strategy, which is designed to help rural communities maximize their potential - while remaining vibrant places to work, live and invest.

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