Funding to help City attract investment

The City of North Battleford is getting federal funding help to attract and retain foreign direct investment.

Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, on behalf of Minister of International Trade Ed Fast, announced the City will receive $35,000 from the Government of Canada specifically to attract, retain and expand foreign direct investment.

The funding comes from the Invest Canada Community Initiatives program. According to the federal government, that program funds up to 50 per cent of community-based activities aimed at developing and executing local investment-attraction strategies.

"North Battleford is a growing community that is a major centre for jobs and economic growth in our region," said Ritz in a statement Sept. 20.

"Today's investment will help encourage investors from around the world look to North Battleford as a viable destination for new economic opportunities."

In a statement, Fast pointed to the funding as an example of the government's commitment to growing the economy.

"Our government is focused on what matters to Canadians: jobs, growth and long-term prosperity, and attracting foreign investment is key to these efforts," said Fast.

"We are proud to be working with local communities across Canada to help attract the investment that brings new opportunities and new sources of prosperity to workers and their families right here in North Battleford."