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NEWS RELEASE DAVID ORAZIETTI, MPP ************************* Orazietti announces $100,000 for local entrepreneur to develop energy saving technology Province strengthens Sault economy with increased NOHFC funding SAULT STE.

NEWS RELEASE

DAVID ORAZIETTI, MPP

************************* Orazietti announces $100,000 for local entrepreneur to develop energy saving technology

Province strengthens Sault economy with increased NOHFC funding SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - The province is continuing to support entrepreneurs in Sault Ste. Marie through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), which is providing a targeted investment of $100,000 to support Systex Engineering Inc.’s development of energy saving applications and hardware the will enable homes and businesses to better manage energy use, David Orazietti MPP, announced today. “Provincial support for local entrepreneurs who are making progress in the technology sector, such as Systex Engineering, is helping strengthen and diversify Sault Ste. Marie’s economy,” said Orazietti. “Since 2003, the province has made creating economic opportunities in Northern Ontario a top priority by increasing the NOHFC’s budget from $60 million to $100 million in order to support greater innovation and the growth of new technologies that help to expand our local economy.” The NOHFC is supporting Systex Engineering Inc.’s development of computer programs that will help home and business owners create electrical, gas and water efficiencies, as well as provide pocketbook relief and added environmental benefits.

The province delivered the funding through the NOHFC’s Emerging Technology Program, which encourages the public and private sector to develop new technologies that will contribute to future Northern prosperity.

Since 2003, the province has approved over $47 million for nearly 400 NOHFC projects in Sault Ste. Marie.

These investments have resulted in new jobs and allowed for over $108 million in infrastructure and business projects to be completed.

The provincial government’s four previous budgets have each increased the NOHFC’s funding by a further $10 million per year from $60 million in 2007 to 100 million in 2011 to support vital community infrastructure and economic development projects that create jobs and enhance the quality of life for Northerners.

When in government, the provincial NDP cut the NOHFC’s entire budget and put it into the province’s general revenue which shortchanged Northerners.

In addition, the provincial NDP have voted against all of the increases to the NOHFC and the projects that it has supported in Sault Ste. Marie.

Some of the key NOHFC investments in Sault Ste. Marie include:

- $5 million Agawa Canyon Tour Train

- $2.5 million Heliene Solar Manufacturing Plant

- $2.3 million for Algoma University Biosciences and Technology Building ($10.3 million total)

- $2.1 million Flakeboard Ltd. Expansion

- $2 million Ellsin Environmental Ltd.: tire recycling plant

- $2 million Sault College: IT infrastructure, Multi-Media Centre, Wind Energy Training Centre

- $1.6 million Hub Trail & Waterfront Walkway expansion ($3.1 million total)

- $1.5 million West End Recreation Centre ($6.2 million total)

- $1.5 million for Sault College academic building ($9.5 million total)