NOHFC doubles support for the North.Changes to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund is a division of the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines in the Canadian province of Ontario, whose purpose is to provide funding and program support to foster economic development in the economically disadvantaged Northern Ontario region. Corp. (NOHFC NOHFC Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (Government of Ontario, Canada) ) translate to additional funding of $150 million over the next five years to support economic growth and job creation and a more "focused mandate," a spokesperson for the Minister of Northern Development and Mines says. Under new guidelines guidelines, n.pl a set of standards, criteria, or specifications to be used or followed in the performance of certain tasks. announced in February, the fund is being doubled to $60 million annually to help generate more jobs and spark new economic development across Northern Ontario Northern Ontario is the part of the province of Ontario which lies north of Lake Huron (including Georgian Bay), the French River and Lake Nipissing. Northern Ontario has a land area of 802,000 km² (310,000 mi²) and constitutes 87% of the land area of Ontario, although it , Lynne Hamilton says. Specifically, NOHFC is targeting projects related to infrastructure, telecommunications Communicating information, including data, text, pictures, voice and video over long distance. See communications. , tourism, strategic partnerships and community foundations. "Basically it's a refocusing Noun 1. refocusing - focusing again focalisation, focalization, focusing - the act of bringing into focus and a retargeting of our efforts," Hamilton says. "We're targeting those five key areas to focus the proposals" being brought to NOHFC's attention. Under the revamped NOHFC, the government will periodically unveil "flagship" infrastructure programs to meet strategic investment objectives and to respond to the changing priorities of the North. The first four flagship programs are: Northern health care assistance, expanded cellular telephone service, capital assistance for the agricultural sector, and Northern trails. Different projects will be released over time within the five target areas," Hamilton says. The Northern health care assistance program will see more capital assistance to enhance Northern health care. The Northern trails flagship program supports the development of a wide range of trail projects, including the Trans-Canada Trail and trails for all-terrain vehicles all-ter·rain vehicle n. Abbr. ATV A small, open motor vehicle having one seat and three or more wheels fitted with large tires. It is designed chiefly for recreational use over roadless, rugged terrain. , cross-country skiing cross-country skiing Skiing in open country over rolling, hilly terrain. It originated in Scandinavia as a means of travel as well as recreation. The skies used are longer, narrower, and lighter than those used in Alpine skiing, and bindings allow more heel movement. , biking, dog sledding, outdoor nature viewing and all-season and multi-use trails that demonstrate added economic value to the tourism sector. The expanded cellular telephone service program is geared to bring cellular service to all highway corridors. The program encourages public and private partnerships to make investing in cellular service attractive. The maximum NOHFC contribution for any cellular-related project is $2 million, although higher levels of funding may be assessed on a case-by-case basis. The capital assistance for the agricultural sector program will aid in the development of agricultural infrastructure, including land improvement, production facility expansion and agricultural processing/marketing facilities. Projects under this initiative will be required to assist the industry in generating jobs and economic growth while maintaining the environment on which it depends upon. |
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