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Bank and barn transformed into a cultural centre Province supports new culinary and visual arts facility through RED grant

WEST LORNE – The Ontario government is boosting the rural economies of Elgin and Middlesex counties by turning heritage properties into a showpiece cultural centre.

The province is investing $286,925 to convert a heritage bank building and a heritage barn into a regional cultural destination which will house a photo gallery and a state-of-the-art cooking studio. When completed, ‘The Arts and Cookery Bank’ will offer culinary programs, cooking seminars promoting the use of local food and visual arts programming while showcasing community heritage. The facilities will also be available to rent for community events.

The funding is part of the Rural Economic Development Program (RED), which invests in community-based projects in three priority areas:

• Improved access to health care services
• Revitalized communities and downtowns
• Enhanced skills training.

It is anticipated that The Arts and Cookery Bank will generate more than 5,000 visitors by 2011 and bring over $800,000 in direct investment to the region. These rural economic development benefits will assist the Municipality of West Elgin and its surrounding municipal partners in both Elgin and Middlesex counties gain long term sustainability through a boost to tourism.

“I am pleased that through this RED grant, the provincial government can help The Arts and Cookery Bank become a reality,” Elgin-Middlesex-London MPP Steve Peters said. “By bringing an interest in local food together with an effort to preserve and promote local heritage, the new facility will help develop this region’s rural economy.”

“This regional hub will help inspire interest in our local food and local culture,” The Arts and Cookery Bank President Grace McGartland said. “This unique mix of programs and activities will help promote and celebrate the combined heritage of both Elgin and Middlesex counties, specifically the municipalities of West Elgin, Dutton-Dunwich, Southwest Middlesex and Newbury.”

QUICK FACTS

• This project will result in two new permanent staff positions and 12 short term construction jobs.

LEARN MORE

Learn more about the Counties of Elgin and Middlesex.

Find out more about Ontario food.

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For more information contact: Craig Bradford, Communications Assistant, (519) 631-0666.