Ontario Strengthening Rural Economic Growth in Oxford

$40,000 investment builds on government’s rural economic development supports

WOODSTOCK — The Ontario government is building strong rural communities with investments that will help to support modern and efficient public infrastructure and boost economic development.

Ernie Hardeman, MPP for Oxford, announced that the City of Woodstock will receive $40,000 in funding through Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Program to build opportunity and support local economic growth.

Today’s investment will help the city to develop a strategy and marketing materials to attract new investment to the city’s downtown.

“This funding will support Woodstock in its bid to attract new investment to the city,” said Ernie Hardeman, MPP for Oxford. “Any investment in one of our rural communities has the potential to benefit the people and economy of Oxford as a whole.”

“Our government is listening to the needs of rural Ontario, and we are committed to putting in place programs that will attract investment, create jobs and boost economic growth,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “Investments through the Rural Economic Development Program are helping shape a strong future for our rural and Indigenous communities by helping create opportunities that boost economic growth and ensure that rural communities can attract the people and investments needed to flourish.

This funding is part of 61 projects the Ontario government is supporting to help diversify local economies, retain skilled workers, and create jobs in rural communities. The province is committing up to $3.8 million in cost-share funding through the intake of this funding.

Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Program continues to support rural communities and provide funding that will address barriers to economic development, and better position rural communities for sustained growth and job creation.

QUICK FACTS

  • The Government of Ontario has committed more than $15.2 million to fund more than 287 economic development projects through the RED program since 2019.
  • The RED program supports projects with tangible benefits to rural and Indigenous communities that help to attract business, investment, and create jobs, while also providing greater value for taxpayer dollars.