LLOYDMINSTER, Alberta – November 10, 2011 – Leon Benoit, Member of Parliament for Vegreville-Wainwright applauds the Canadian Government’s continued support of deepening Canada’s trade ties around the world.
“This government continues to focus on creating jobs. With this funding announcement of $3 million to the Invest in Canada Communities Initiatives (ICCI) program we are helping communities across Canada to attract, retain and expand foreign direct investments,” said Benoit.

Through this funding 99 communities, including the Lloydminster Economic Development Corporation ($25,000), will have received funding in 2011. Since 2006, the ICCI program has helped create jobs and prosperity while growing Canada’s economy by supporting 380 organizations through 779 projects.

“The global economy is important to our country. As communities we need to be ready for investors and be able to compete on a global basis when opportunities rise. I believe the eyes of global investors will continue to turn to Canada and we will remain ready to welcome them,” said Benoit.


BACKGROUNDER

The Invest Canada-Community Initiatives (ICCI) program is one of the components of the Government of Canada’s Global Commerce Support Program – which funds up to 50 per cent of community-based activities aimed at developing and executing local investment attraction strategies. Applications are evaluated based on criteria that include the proposed strategy, project components, performance measures, work plan and the level of public-private sector partnership. Funding amounts for this year range from $3,780 to $252,500.