Some guy gives Udo Rauk half a million bucks

NEWS RELEASE

DAVID ORAZIETTI, MPP

************************* Orazietti announces $570,000 for downtown revitalization in Sault Ste. Marie

McGuinty government investment to help support local economic development SAULT STE. MARIE — The McGuinty government is investing $570,000 in an initiative that will enhance and diversify Sault Ste. Marie’s downtown, David Orazietti, MPP announced today.

"Our government recognizes the importance of improving Sault Ste. Marie's downtown through attracting new businesses, creating and retaining jobs and strengthening the local economy," said Orazietti. "Successful implementation of this revitalization initiative will help position our community as an attractive tourist destination, as well as a great place to live and do business."

Orazietti between Udo Rauk, chief administrative officer and Alison Walton, chair of the Downtown Association, with Sault Ste. Marie Mayor John Rowswell on the far right. The province will contribute $570,000 to help the Corporation of the City of Sault Ste. Marie and its partner, the Downtown Association, implement the initiative.

"Thanks to the support of the provincial government, we can now proceed with our three-year project of enhancing our downtown," said Mayor John Rowswell, City of Sault Ste. Marie. "Private-sector financial incentive programs, building facade improvements, and building restoration are all parts of our community improvement plan to foster new economic growth."

"We are repositioning ourselves as a lifestyle neighbourhood where residents and visitors can enjoy a range of shopping, dining, entertainment, personal services and quality living space," said Udo Rauk, CAO, Downtown Association. "The provincial funding announcement gives access to incentives for independent businesses in the downtown to improve their properties and add to the overall aesthetics of the area."

Under the McGuinty government, provincial transfer payments to municipalities have been significantly increased.

The previous government's poorly devised CRF formula saw the City of Sault Ste. Marie receive $21,448,000 in 2003.

Under the new Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund the city has received an additional $4,955,830 for a total of $26,403,830 for 2006/07, a remarkable 23.1 percent increase in only three years.

In addition, the McGuinty government has supported the city of Sault Ste. Marie with funding for a number of important services and infrastructure projects including:

- $17.65 million for city road improvements. - $5.6 million for Carmen’s Way/truck traffic route.

- $4.7 million for Steelback Centre. - $2.6 million for public transportation through new provincial gas tax program.

- $1 million boardwalk expansion. - $560,000 for City Police officer funding.

- $400,000 for land ambulance service.

- $178,000 for firefighter training. - $100,000 for Sault multi-modal transportation study.

Additionally, on July 7, 2006 the McGuinty government provided the Sault Ste. Marie Downtown Association with a significant financial boost by completely eliminating a $1.7 million loan from the Ontario government.

Over 20 years ago the Downtown Association received a loan of $2.2 million from the Ontario government and had been making payments of $20,000 annually.

Today’s investment was made through the Rural Economic Development (RED) Program, which invests in community-based projects that support sustainable rural and northern economies in three priority areas: improved access to health care services, revitalized communities and downtowns, and enhanced skills training.

Through the RED Program, the province has invested $33 million in 118 projects, representing a total investment of $204.6 million in rural and northern Ontario, since 2003.

The Ontario government and its partners are building strong rural and northern communities that work better for the people who live in them.

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