FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10, 2020

Economic development corporations from across Northern Ontario have been honoured with a provincial award for initiatives that have helped position regional small and medium-sized enterprises take advantage of global opportunities and new markets for their innovative products and services.

Ontario’s North Economic Development Corporation (ONEDC), a collaboration of the economic development corporations for the cities of North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Timmins, accepted the Award of Excellence from the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) at its annual conference gala on February 6.

“As a truly collaborative, pan-northern initiative, the Northern Ontario Exports Program has assisted more than 150 small and medium-sized companies grow their businesses through export development,” said Christy Marinig, Chair, ONEDC. “The City of Greater Sudbury has done an exceptional job in leading this program for the benefit of all our northern colleagues.”

The Northern Ontario Exports Program had five objectives: to develop or improve export strategies, evaluate and address gaps in export sales and marketing processes, access funding support for export development activities, access business development databases and provide support for export related sales training.

Christy added that “The program helps local businesses develop an export plan, connect them with a consultant and access funding to attend trade shows or develop marketing materials.” Timmins and regional based firms can still participate in the program by contacting their local economic development office.

The EDCO Awards of Excellence is an annual program to stimulate the development of ideas and initiatives that may become economic development best practices of the future. Ninety-eight entries were submitted from communities and organizations across Ontario.

The Northern Ontario Exports Program was an eight year initiative supported by the Province of Ontario, FedNor and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund between 2011 and 2019. Resulting strategies will continue to generate economic benefits in Northern Ontario for years to follow.

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Media Contact:
Scott Rennie, Business Development Officer
Economic Development, City of Greater Sudbury
scott.rennie@greatersudbury.ca
705-674-4455 ext. 4403