Patty Hadju, the Minister responsible for FedNor, in Fort Frances, July 6, 2023. Image: randy Thoms/Acadia Broadcasting

FedNor is doling out more than $1.6 million to communities around northwestern Ontario.

Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor and Marcus Powlowski, MP for Thunder Bay-Rainy River, were at

Rainy Lake Market Square in Fort Frances on Thursday to make the announcements.

These projects include community infrastructure development and expansion, critical studies and plans, and support for skilled personnel to further community economic development efforts.

The Municipality of Sioux Lookout receives $664,014 to extend municipal services, including water and sewer, to the Hillcrest Commercial Site development project.

The City of Dryden will use $245,250 for two initiatives.

One hundred and sixty-two thousand dollars will be used on a community capacity study and business/services gap analysis.

The studies are part of the city’s municipal plan to provide direction and support for medium-to-long-term community and economic development.

Another grant of $83,250 will be used to conduct a feasibility study on developing a food aggregation and distribution centre.

FedNor is providing the Town of Rainy River with $216,802 to maintain its regional economic development officer for another three years.

The City of Kenora is getting $90,000 for the development of a comprehensive strategic plan.

The Municipality of Machin gets $45,000 to support the development of a community improvement plan.