Government Funding For New Guelph Facility Will Produce Organic Dairy Products
Local Economy To Benefit
by Cambridge Now Local News
Nov 11, 2009
Funding To Boost Local Economies, Promote Local Food
A new partnership will see a boost for local economies with some help from the Provincial Government. Sheep, goat and water buffalo milk will be among the conventional and certified organic dairy products processed at a retrofitted facility in Guelph.
The facility will be owned and operated by a new partnership between Organic Meadow and Steen’s Dairy Ltd..
“This project will provide economic benefits to Guelph and the surrounding area. The growth of these two companies will use more milk produced by local dairy farmers, provide more jobs for local workers, and give consumers more reasons to shop locally. The McGuinty government is proud to support partnerships aimed at strengthening and growing rural economies,” said Liz Sandals, MPP for Guelph.
“The support from the Government of Ontario will enable both Organic Meadow and Steen’s Dairy to expand their range of milk products and to introduce innovative new products. This, along with the consumer strength of our Foodland Ontario membership, will allow us to increase employment in Guelph and to expand our purchases of milk from Ontario farmers,” says Steve Cavell, CEO, Organic Meadow Inc.
Through the Rural Economic Development Program, Ontario is helping to:
* create an a state-of-the-art dairy facility for organic milk products
* provide local farmers with a market for organic dairy products
* increase capacity for new and innovative products
* increase volume of dairy products
* retain existing jobs and create opportunities for new jobs
Photo right: The Honorable Leona Dombrowsky Provincial Minister of Agriculture
The project is also receiving funding to market the new facility through the Ontario Market Investment Fund (OMIF), part of Ontario’s enhanced investment in ‘buy local’ initiatives.
Organic Meadow Inc. and Steen’s Dairy Ltd. are receiving up to $495,000 through the Rural Economic Development Program. Since 2003, Ontario has invested $81.5 million in 248 projects through the Rural Economic Development Program.
The project is receiving up to $100,000 for marketing and promotion through OMIF. Since December 2008, 77 projects have been approved with a provincial investment of $3.9 million.
