NOHFC funding announced for projects in Sioux Lookout, Red Lake, Ear Falls

Tim Brody - Editor

The provincial government announced on March 10 that it is providing more than $1.8 million through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to nine economic development projects in Northwestern Ontario and Sioux Lookout will be one of the community’s benefiting from the announcement.
The NOHFC is funding the following projects: 
• $975,000 for the Municipality of Sioux Lookout to upgrade a booster station and extend municipal services to the Bigwood Lake area, $67,636 to complete development studies for the Bigwood Lake area, plus $33,750 to update the municipal Economic Development Strategy 
• $273,075 for the Municipality of Red Lake to update existing exhibits and develop two new exhibits at the Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre, and $38,797 to build an off-leash dog park 
• $270,000 for High Tech Industries – a timber harvesting company in Ear Falls – to purchase two harvesters, as well as $129,200 to purchase additional equipment 
• $20,526 for the Township of Ear Falls to develop a feasibility plan to increase broadband capacity throughout 
the community 
• $7,875 for the Red Lake Margaret Cochenour Memorial Hospital to build the outdoor Fire Circle Gathering Area – a space for gathering and traditional healing practices. 
“NOHFC funding enabled the municipality to complete a number of studies, as well as upgrade our water pumping station and extend water service to support the development of the 63-acre Bigwood Lake property. This critical development will assist the municipality in attaining its goal of providing serviced lands for commercial growth and expansion,” shared Sioux Lookout Mayor Doug Lawrance.  
“Our government is making investments to ensure a high quality of life in communities across Northwestern Ontario,” said Dave Smith, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Northern Development. “This funding is creating economic growth and prosperity opportunities for northerners.”
“Through targeted investments, our government is building strong, resilient and prosperous communities and businesses in the North,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development. “By working together with our many northern partners, we are keeping Northwestern Ontario competitive and current.”
“The NOHFC promotes economic prosperity across Northern Ontario by providing financial assistance to projects—big and small, rural and urban—that stimulate growth, job creation and skills development. Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $608 million in 5,070 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $1.93 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 8,100 jobs,” the provincial government informed.