Marcus Powlowski, MP for Thunder Bay-Rainy River, speaks at a FedNor announcement - Acadia Broadcasting File Photo

FedNor has announced an investment of $1,000,000 in the Atikokan Economic Development Corporation.

The announcement was made by Marcus Powlowski, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay—Rainy River, on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor.

The funds will support the AEDC’s Investment Fund, which is used to assist entrepreneurs in creating new small- or medium-sized enterprises and to assist existing enterprises in stabilizing or expanding operations.

“Working with partners like the Atikokan Economic Development Corporation is key to helping communities across Northern Ontario build strong and diverse local economies. This investment of $1 million builds on our economic strengths and creates good-paying jobs for middle-class families. This is part of our plan to build an economy that works for everyone in Canada, not just the few,” highlighted Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and the Minister Responsible for FedNor.

One of the focuses of the Investment fund is to address increasing demand in the mining and energy sectors, which have been identified as areas of growth for Northern Ontario and the Atikokan region.

Currently, over 20 different mineral development projects are in early to advanced exploration stages in the Atikokan area according to FedNor.