Government of Canada Supports the Agence de Developpement de la ville de Roberval

ROBERVAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - July 29, 2010) - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, today announced an investment of $86,250 in the Agence de développement de la ville de Roberval. The funding has been awarded under the $100 million Temporary Initiative for the Strengthening of Quebec's Forest Economies announced by Minister of State Lebel last April. This morning, Mr. Lebel noted that the assistance granted will serve to finance technical and financial feasibility studies for the establishment of an integrated wood processing plant.

In addition to the manufacture of value-added products, the integrated plant could solve some of the supply problems plaguing many secondary hardwood processing plants in the region. The new wood processing plant concept would allow for greater production flexibility and complement the existing plants.

This announcement is further evidence of the government of Canada`s commitment to supporting Quebec`s forest regions.

"Here we have a fine example of a promising project that the new Temporary Initiative for the Strengthening of Quebec's Forest Economies enables us to support. This new plant could result in the creation of 200 direct and indirect jobs. The Government of Canada is well aware of the magnitude of the forestry crisis in Quebec and of the pressure it is placing on the communities whose economies rely on the industry. That is why we have been quick to act and will continue to do so in the interests of local workers and their communities, as illustrated by the project announced today," explained Minister of State Lebel.

Created in 2005, the Agence de développement de la ville de Roberval is a non-profit organization whose mission is to foster the industrial, commercial, tourism, cultural and economic expansion of Roberval. It is administered by a team of nine volunteers.

The Temporary Initiative for the Strengthening of Quebec's Forest Economies (TISQFE) is a diversification and support measure intended for communities affected by the crisis in the forest industry. In effect since last June, its aims are to strengthen and increase economic activity in hard-pressed communities and help them to create and preserve jobs, while paying particular attention to SMEs based in these communities in order to improve their performance.

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