SD&G – County officials were singing the praises of some senior government funding which has already produced an agriculture sector study and will bring a new SD&G website this year.
Officials held a three-pronged news conference this morning at the United Counties building on Pitt Street to unveil the ag study, plans for the visually-appealing website and plans for the upcoming plowing match.
Bio-Ag Study
The 47 page agriculture study was funded through a $15,000 grant from the Invest Canada Community Initiatives (ICCI) program. Key partners also contributed nearly $2,000 toward the study. The report is a sector-specific analysis in order to build on the ag sector. The report identifies new opportunities for agriculture suppliers.
The Bio-Ag report states SD&G producers could realize $25-27 million in incremental gains by seizing on these new so-called value chains – basically market lines from raw to finished product.
The challenge now is getting more funding from senior levels of government and working with neighbouring counties to implement parts of the agriculture plan.
The tentative start date to roll out the plan is April 2016.
United Counties Website
The website redesign was funded through a provincial Municipal Readiness Project grant for $58,500. It will feature a business directory, a list of available industrial and commercial properties and regional support tools. The contract was tendered last year to Guelph-based company Giant Goat. Most of the site should be online by June.
International Plowing Match
Preparation for the IPM and Rural Expo Showing continues with site design and partner participation underway. There’s also a coupon booklet being produced that will be able to track the economic spinoff from the event.
The IPM and Rural Expo is Sept. 22-26 in Finch.
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