Hearst receives funding for bioeconomy

Jan. 7, 2011 – The city of Hearst, Ontario,
is working to create an economically and environmentally sustainable economy.
With the support of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), the
Hearst and Area Economic Development Corporation is developing a strategy to
diversify its forestry and agricultural sectors into value-added industries,
and to expand into new areas such as bioenergy.

The strategy will allow Hearst to:

• Compile and analyze data on existing
  businesses and industries;
• Develop a carbon footprint measuring tool
  to help eliminate waste;
• Explore methods to develop new local and
  regional business relationships that facilitate innovation;
• Attract eco-oriented businesses to develop
  the region's green economy.

This initiative is part of the government's
five-year Open Ontario plan to create jobs and economic opportunities in
Northern Ontario. "Hearst is a forward-looking community that is
developing new ideas to strengthen the local economy. I'm pleased that the
NOHFC is assisting them with this initiative," says Michael Gravelle,
minister of northern development, mines, and forestry, and chair of the NOHFC.