FCC AgriSpirit Fund builds on rural spirit
Guelph, Ontario, April 17, 2007 – The Farm Credit Canada (FCC) AgriSpirit Fund is supporting community projects in rural Ontario once again this year.
The FCC AgriSpirit Fund is giving $500,000 to support capital projects in rural communities across Canada with populations under 100,000. The fund supports projects such as rural community centres, food banks, recreation centres, care homes and playgrounds with renovations and equipment. To qualify, projects must enhance the quality of life in rural communities.
“The commitment rural Canadian residents demonstrate to building their own communities is overwhelming,” says Dan Bergen, FCC Vice-President of Western Ontario Operations. “We received hundreds of applications this year requesting support for a wide range of projects. FCC is proud to help enhance rural Canada.”
52 projects across Canada were selected from 719 applications. Each will receive between $5,000 and $25,000 in funding.
15 projects will receive funding in Ontario this year. They are Lindsay Agricultural Grounds, Hastings County Museum of Agricultural Heritage in Stirling, Woodstock Hospital, Norwich Community Centre, Delhi Community Health Centre, Perth East Recreation Complex in Milverton, Salvation Army Community Services in Listowel, Listowel Agricultural Hall, Thorndale Library, Parkhill Community Medical Centre, Pembroke Community Medical Centre in Cobden, Admaston Bromley Rink in Renfrew, Lambton Shores Community Centre in Forest, Harrow Fairgrounds and Acton Fair in Guelph. See the attached background information for project descriptions and contact information.
“Since launching AgriSpirit in 2004, FCC has supported 130 projects with $1.3 million in funding,” says Kellie Garrett, FCC Senior Vice-President. “Another $500,000 in AgriSpirit funding will be available in May this year.”
FCC is accepting applications for 2007 projects between May 1 and June 15, 2007. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit www.AgriSpirit.ca for details about the eligibility criteria and the application process.
FCC is Canada’s largest provider of business and financial services to farms and agribusiness. Operating out of 100 offices located primarily in rural Canada, FCC employees are passionate about the business of agriculture. A healthy portfolio of $12 billion and 13 consecutive years of portfolio growth are a reflection of our customers' success.
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Background
Lindsay Agricultural Grounds, Lindsay
The Lindsay Agricultural Society will receive $15,000 to help fund the construction of a new facility for hosting fairs, meetings and special events.
For more information about this project please contact:
Tom Saunders, Lindsay Agricultural Society General Manager, at
Debra Wadia, FCC District Manager in Lindsay, at
Hastings County Museum of Ag Heritage, Stirling
The Hasting County Museum of Agricultural Heritage will receive $6,500 towards the cost of constructing a streetscape replica of a small Ontario town in the 1930’s. The streetscape will feature 9000 square feet of displays, including 18 businesses and a rural church.
For more information about this project please contact:
John R. Sager, Hastings County Museum Planning Director, at
Debra Wadia, FCC District Manager in Lindsay, at
Woodstock Hospital, Woodstock
The Woodstock Hospital Foundation is receiving $10,000 towards the purchase of a new electronic surgical table.
For more information about this project please contact:
Vicki M. Davey, Woodstock Hospital Foundation Director of Development, at
Jim Pickard, FCC District Manager in Woodstock, at
Norwich Community Centre, Norwich
The Expanding Our Horizons organization is receiving $7,000 to help with the cost of constructing a library in the Norwich Community Centre.
For more information about this project please contact:
Lisa and Tom Leitch, Expanding Our Horizons Co-Chairs, at
Jim Pickard, FCC District Manager in Woodstock, at
Delhi Community Health Centre, Delhi
The Delhi Community Health Centre is receiving $5,000 to help purchase an outdoor illumuniated sign to post community health messages, such as flu clinics and health workshops.
For more information about this project please contact:
Linda VanLondersele, Delhi Community Health Centre Administrator, at
Jim Pickard, FCC District Manager in Woodstock, at
Perth East Recreation Complex, Milverton
The Perth East Recreation Complex is receiving $6,500 towards the cost of new banquet tables for community events.
For more information about this project please contact:
Becky Boertien, Perth East Recreation Complex Manager, at
Salvation Army Community Services, Listowel
Salvation Army Community Services is receiving $5,000 to help with renovation costs, including repairs, new doors, a new railing, air conditioning and insulation.
For more information about this project please contact:
Gwyneth Woods, Salvation Army Family Services Director, at
Bruce McLeod, FCC District Manager in Listowel, at
Listowel Agricultural Hall, Listowel
The Listowel Agricultural Society is receiving $10,000 towards to cost of facility upgrades to meet current health, safety and food preparation standards.
For more information about this project please contact:
Lee Anne Andriessen, Listowel Agricultural Society Past President, at
Bruce McLeod, FCC District Manager in Listowel, at
Thorndale Library, Thorndale
The Thorndale Friends of the Library will receive $7,000 to help with the cost of renovating the existing library and building a 2,700 square foot addition.
For more information about this project please contact:
Gordon Young, Thorndale Friends of the Library Chairman, at
Perry Wilson, FCC District Manager in London, at
Parkill Community Medical Centre, Parkhill
The Parkhill Community Medical Centre is receiving $15,000 to improve wheelchair accessibility with facility upgrades.
For more information about this project please contact:
Bertha Wolf, Parkhill Community Medical Centre Board Secretary, at
Perry Wilson, FCC District Manager in London, at
Pembroke Farmers Market, Cobden
The Pembroke Farmers Market Association will receive $14,000 to help fund the cost of building a permanent market venue with washrooms, a canteen and covering for vendors.
For more information about this project please contact:
Osiah Horst, Pembroke Farmers Market Association Treasurer, at
John Gregory, FCC District Manager in Kanata, at
Admaston Bromley Outdoor Rink, Renfrew
The Admaston Bromley Recreation Committee is receiving $7,000 to purchase boards the community outdoor rink.
Rory Donahue, Admaston Bromley Recreation Committee Chair, at
John Gregory, FCC District Manager in Kanata, at
Lambton Shores Community Centre, Forest
The Lambton Shores Capital Campaign organization is receiving $15,000 towards building costs for the new Lambton Shores Community Centre Complex.
For more information about this project please contact:
Tony Van Kessel, Lambton Shores Capital Campaign member, at
Gary Paling, FCC District Manager in Chatham, at
Harrow Fairgrounds, Harrow
The Colchester South and Harrow Ag Society is receiving $7,000 to help with the cost of constructing a multi-purpose recreational facility.
For more information about this project please contact:
Anne Anger, South and Harrow Ag Society Treasurer, at
Gary Paling, FCC District Manager in Chatham, at
Acton Fair, Guelph
The Acton Agricultural Society is receiving $12,000 to help with the cost of constructing a new facility for the annual fall fair and community recreation.
For more information about this project please contact:
Jim Pink, Acton Agricultural Society Past President, at
John Guertjens, FCC District Manager in Guelph, at
