Southwestern Ontario Marketing Alliance (SOMA) Receives Funding to Attract Foreign Development

July 28, 2016 - Woodstock, ON – The Southwestern Ontario Marketing Alliance (SOMA) is pleased to announce that the government of Canada has awarded the association $24,000 to allow SOMA to attract additional foreign investment into the region.

On behalf of the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of International Trade, David Lametti, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister, announced 2016 funding of $3.8 million to 87 municipalities across Canada.

This funding comes from the Invest Canada-Community Initiatives (ICCI) program which helps attract, retain and expand foreign direct investment.

"The Government of Canada encourages communities large and small, from coast to coast, to get their messages out about why the world should invest here. Canada has strong economic fundamentals and a skilled, innovative workforce, which makes it an excellent destination for new investments," stated Mr Lametti in his announcement.

ICCI funding helps Canadian communities reach out to global companies looking to expand abroad. The program gives organization like SOMA an opportunity to promote the region and the Canadian brand abroad. SOMA is a partnership of southwestern Ontario communities, grown out of natural economic ties. This region, known as Canada's Industrial Heartland, stretches across Elgin, Oxford and Perth counties.

Len Magyar, chair of the SOMA board, feels that the ICCI funding will help us successfully promote our strategic location, skilled workforce, and competitive business costs.

Len Magyar indicated that "this funding provides vital support to SOMA and its member municipalities with respect to our ongoing foreign direct initiatives. Attracting foreign direct investment can be an expensive proposition that many smaller communities simply cannot afford however these funds will help significantly with our collective international efforts."

The purpose of the ICCI is to create jobs for Canadians, support innovation and increase exports. To see how SOMA is meeting these goals, please visit www.canadasindustrialheartland.com.

To view the full 2016 ICCI recipient list, click here

CONTACT:

Len Magyar
Chair, Southwestern Ontario Marketing Alliance (SOMA)
(519) 539-1291 x 2112
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