FARR: The Outaouais Launches a Call for Projects

Organizations and businesses have until October 6, 2017 to file an application for financial assistance

Campbell’s Bay, August 30, 2017—The Government of Québec announced yesterday that it was injecting over $ 20 million over five years into the Regions Support Fund (FARR) for the Outaouais. $ 1.94 million is available for 2017-2018, and the Regional Office of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy (MAMOT) is now ready to receive applications for financial assistance from eligible organizations and businesses.

Organizations will have until October 6, 2017 to apply for funding for projects that fall within the regional development priorities and that will have spin-offs in at least two Outaouais MRCs.

Regional priorities are:

• Promote the equitable development of rural and urban areas;
• Strengthen the Outaouais’ competitive position as a border region;
• Ensure the transport of people and sustainable mobility throughout the region;
• Protect the natural environment and adapt to climate change;
• Expand cultural activities and ensure their accessibility;
• Promote entrepreneurship and an entrepreneurial culture in both rural and urban areas;
• Support economic diversification and innovation;
• Promote tourism development;
• Promote and enhance the agri-food sector;
• Support the development of the forest industry sector;
• Encourage student retention and the training of a skilled workforce.

Eligible organizations are:

• Organizations: municipal; non-profit; educational network;
• Businesses: private or social economy, except companies in the financial sector;
• Cooperatives, except financial cooperatives;
• Aboriginal communities;
• Legal entities wishing to start a private or social economy business.

The Regional Project Selection Committee is composed of its President, Stéphanie Vallée, Minister responsible for the Outaouais Region, the Mayor of Gatineau, Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin and the Wardens of the four MRCs in the Outaouais. Raymond Durocher (Pontiac), Michel Merleau (Vallée-de-la-Gatineau), Robert Bussière (Collines-de-l’Outaouais), and Paulette Lalande (Papineau).

“I am proud to have participated in this regional collaboration that set the development priorities for the entire Outaouais region. The Pontiac will develop projects that will not only have an economic impact on us, but also on our neighbours, and vice versa. I can’t think of a better way to ensure regional sustainability,” said MRC Pontiac Warden, Raymond Durocher.

Related Links:

FARR Program – MRC Pontiac
www.mrcpontiac.qc.ca/en/programme/farr

Support Fund for the Development of Regions (FARR) – Outaouais
www.mamot.gouv.qc.ca/developpement-territorial/programmes/fonds-dappui-au-rayonnement-des-regions-farr/gestion-regionale-du-programme/