Ponoka, Alberta – Blaine Calkins, Member of Parliament for Wetaskiwin on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced Federal Government support to help the Town of Ponoka strengthen economic opportunities in Ponoka.

Federal funding of $87,100 is being provided through the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

The Town of Ponoka is converting its decommissioned water treatment plant into a community activity centre with a nature and environmental focus. These improvements will benefit the community by creating jobs, providing opportunities to learn about nature and the environment, and attracting visitors.

“Our Government, through the Community Adjustment Fund, is providing a timely, targeted stimulus to western Canadian communities, helping reduce the impact of the global recession,” said Blaine Calkins, Member of Parliament for Wetaskiwin.  “This project will help create jobs and maintain employment in Ponoka, helping our community overcome the challenges currently facing our region.”

"We are very pleased with the support being provided to us by the Federal Government," said Larry Henkelman, Mayor of the Town of Ponoka. "This funding enables us to convert an unused structurally sound building into a facility that will greatly enhance our community by meeting the needs and interests of numerous visitors and organizations both now and into the future."

The fund will provide $306 million over two years to support the most affected western Canadian communities, such as those that are heavily reliant on resource-based industries, for instance forestry, mining, agriculture and fisheries, and communities that depend on the manufacturing industry. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is delivering the fund in the four western provinces.

For further information visit Canada’s Economic Action Plan at www.actionplan.gc.ca.

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For additional information, contact:

Christine Riske

Office Manager

Blaine Calkins, M.P.

Telephone:  1-800-665-0865

Brad Watson

Chief Administrative Officer

Town of Ponoka

Telephone:  (403) 783-4431