Government of Ontario Helps Northern Businesses Expand and Innovate

**GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO NEWS RELEASE**

Ontario’s Government for the People is investing in Northern Ontario to connect entrepreneurs in Kenora and Timmins with investors across the region.

Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, announced the $150,000 investment today, alongside the recipients, the Northern Ontario Angels.

Northern Ontario Angels (NOA), formerly known as the Northern Ontario Enterprise Gateway, has hired consultants in Kenora and Timmins to help local entrepreneurs find investors who can help to start up their operations or launch innovative business ideas.

As a not-for-profit organization, NOA connects northern businesses with investors and provides networking opportunities and resources to support successful business ventures. It also has consultants in Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie.

“Our investment will support business expansion, create jobs and bring more business dollars to northern communities,” said Minister Rickford. “Northern entrepreneurs have a reputation for developing world-class products and delivering innovative services. Northern Ontario Angels provides important support to help build on their success while sending a strong signal that Ontario is open for business”

“We thank the province for helping us facilitate an increasing number of connections between entrepreneurs and investors in Northern Ontario. Accessing the investment market can be challenging and today’s investment will strengthen businesses in Kenora and Timmins,” said Mary Long Irwin, Executive Director of Northern Ontario Angels.