News

$2.3 Million to Support Local Municipalities

Ontario Strengthening Community Development in Nipissing

NIPISSING – Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing announced that the Ontario government is providing $2,315,912 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to five community enhancement projects in Nipissing. This investment will help build a stronger Ontario by supporting critical infrastructure and improving quality of life in the North.

“Our government is enhancing community infrastructure to promote healthier and more vibrant communities with a higher quality of life for residents,” said Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing. “We will continue to foster a strong future in our region by supporting economic growth, and reaffirming the North as a great place to call home.”

The following funding is being delivered through the NOHFC:

• $801,198 for the City of North Bay to build All-Wheel Park, an inclusive, free play park in the downtown core for BMX bikes, skateboards, scooters, rollerblades, rollerskates and wheelchairs
• $690,451 for the City of North Bay to revitalize downtown’s Main Street, which includes landscaping, upgrading pedestrian sidewalks and street lighting, as well as installing low-voltage electrical power for film industry use
• $437,693 for the City of North Bay to build Museum Playground, an accessible, boat-themed playground in the downtown core
• $372,510 for the Municipality of Callander to renovate Bill Barber Arena, which includes pouring a new concrete floor and replacing rink boards
• $14,060 for Friends of Laurier Woods Inc. to replace and widen the two boardwalks within North Bay’s Laurier Woods Conservation Area.

“These three projects are a part of an overall vision for North Bay’s downtown and waterfront – one that has been in the works for a number of years and has been driven by community input,” said David Euler, Chief Administrative Officer for the City of North Bay. “Thanks to the support and collaboration of our provincial partners, it’s exciting to see that this vision is taking shape.”

“I’d like to thank MPP Fedeli, the NOHFC Board and our provincial government for their support in funding these much-needed improvements to Bill Barber Arena. The rink floor and boards are at their end-of-life expectancy and this funding will ensure our regional area continues to have free access to rink time throughout the winter months. We’ll also be able to expand our recreational draw by providing a level concrete surface, offering new opportunities for gathering and connection. We are entirely grateful to continue improving this unique facility, named after our local hockey legend, Bill Barber, and cannot wait to share these rink upgrades with residents and tourists alike.” – Ashley Bilodeau, Senior Municipal Director, Municipality of Callander.

“The Friends of Laurier Woods is grateful for NOHFC funding that will allow us to replace the aging wooden boardwalks along the main pond. These boardwalks provide access to all of the trails in Laurier Woods C.A. Used by local residents and tourists of this 250-acre natural area in the centre of North Bay has tripled in the past 2 years.  Laurier Woods C.A. serves as a draw for tourists to visit North Bay. We just had hundreds of people enjoy the fall colours each day in early October. The area also provides water storage services from rainstorms and snow melt saving the municipality and individual landowners on insurance premiums.” – Fred Pinto, Friends of Laurier Woods.

The NOHFC promotes economic prosperity across Northern Ontario by providing financial assistance to projects—big and small, rural and urban—that stimulate growth, job creation and skills development. Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $575 million in 4,835 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $1.86 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 7,770 jobs.

Quick Facts

• In 2021, the Ontario government launched new and improved NOHFC programs that support more projects in rural northern communities and make it easier for more people and businesses to apply. The programs target existing and emerging markets, provide more work opportunities for Indigenous people and address the skilled labour shortage in the North.

Additional Resources

• The NOHFC, Northern Development Offices and Small Business Enterprise Centres are available to support northern communities, businesses and other stakeholders in identifying economic development opportunities and assist in accessing government funding programs.