Newmarket-Aurora MP Lois Brown has announced that a major project to digitize media at the Newmarket Library, enabling the sharing of resources among potential users, is moving forward thanks to an investment of $2,102,456 to stimulate local economies under the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) in Southern Ontario.
 
CAF investments will create immediate employment opportunities and support local economies in communities throughout Southern Ontario with populations of fewer than 250,000 that rely heavily on manufacturing and natural resources.

 "This $2.1 million investment will create immediate jobs and strengthen our local economy," said Newmarket-Aurora MP Lois Brown.  "Everyone involved in this proposal; the Town of Newmarket, the Newmarket Public Library Board, Newmarket Chamber of Commerce and Southlake Regional Health Centre deserves credit for a successful application. I look forward to continuing to work with all stakeholders to help our community prosper now and in the future."
 
"Many incredible efforts and a unique partnership came together to make this a successful application for funding," said Newmarket Mayor Tony Van Bynen. "This very significant investment will allow our library to move from the book shelf stage to the digital age."
 
"The investment in technology infrastructure, the associated employment opportunities, and the unique community partnership that has been established, will enable us to move further toward realizing our vision of the library as the intellectual hub of our community: a meeting and gathering place not only for information consumption, but for collaboration and digital content creation as well," said Newmarket Public Library Chair Wendy Van Straten. "Members of our community will have access to the information and resources needed to become full participants in and beneficiaries of the 21st century knowledge-based economy."

“Entrepreneurs require considerable community support focused on the creation of sustainable business models for innovation to truly become a factor in achieving economic growth, and to secure the talent necessary to sustain it,” said Newmarket Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Debra Scott. “The Newmarket Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to be able to provide small and medium businesses, known as Ontario’s economic engine, direct support to strategically implement solutions that will help them implement new and enhanced services. This federal government funding will also create video conferencing facilities, the implementation of a prosperity council and support a health sciences commission.  We are very excited to get started.”
 
The balance of the full project cost of $2.6 million will be provided through contributions from the four partners, the majority stake funded by the Library.
 
This project was part of the up to $102 million investment made through the Community Adjustment Fund for 2009-2010, announced on August 27 by the Honourable Gary Goodyear, newly appointed Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). It is the government's intention to support a total of 90 projects in communities across Southern Ontario that are struggling with the effects of the global economic downturn.
 
Approved projects must meet the terms and conditions set out in their funding agreements. A complete list of approved projects in Southern Ontario will be made available online at www.ic.gc.ca/caf on September 10, 2009.
 
Applications for 2010-2011 CAF project funds will be accepted by FedDev Ontario later this year. A public announcement will be made once details are finalized.
 
CAF is just one in a series of initiatives introduced in the Government of Canada's Economic Action Plan designed to address the short-term effects of the economic decline on communities across Canada, while preparing our communities for long-term growth. For more information on
Canada's Economic Action Plan, please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.