RIVER BANK DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION RECEIVES NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION FUNDING

Economic and Co-operative Development Minister Janice MacKinnon today

announced funding of $50,000 to Prince Albert's River Bank Development

Corporation to co-ordinate business, social development and job

creation activities for the benefit of inner-city residents under the

province's Neighbourhood Development Organization (NDO) initiative.



"River Bank Development Corporation is a new organization of local

people dedicated to mobilizing inner-city resources and delivering

grassroots business and community services in Prince Albert," Prince

Albert - Carlton MLA Myron Kowalsky said on behalf of MacKinnon.

"NDOs such as River Bank are an important part of building stronger

and more prosperous communities and at the same time creating jobs for

Saskatchewan people."



The funding to River Bank represents initial installments of $150,000

in operational funding it will receive from the government during the

1999-2000 fiscal year. The corporation was formed last year. Charter

members include the New Beginnings Housing Co-operative, Hand in Hand

Housing Co-operative, Innovative Concepts Co-operative and the Women

Against Poverty community organization.



During its initial months of operation, River Bank has focussed

on supporting the activities of the housing co-operatives that

are buying and rehabilitating houses and helping inner-city

residents own their own homes. It has also co-ordinated

community programs in child care and nutrition and has started a

community development training program in conjunction with the

Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST).



"Without government support, River Bank Development Corporation

would not have been able to realize its dreams of working with

the low-income community of Prince Albert," Cecile Nickel, River

Bank board chairperson, said. "We are excited by our task, that

of effectively co-ordinating community resources for the benefit

of our inner-city residents."



Additional funding under this year's provincial budget has made a

total of $500,000 available to help NDOs develop community-based

programming. Saskatchewan's two other NDOs, Quint Development

Corporation in Saskatoon and Community Action Alliance in Regina,

will also receive core funding to develop unique approaches to

creating stronger local economies and productive neighbourhoods.



"The NDO initiative is another example of government working with

communities to create opportunities for Saskatchewan people,"

Kowalsky said. "Together, we can ensure that Saskatchewan's

strong economic growth will benefit all members of our society."



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For more information, contact:



Bob Ellis

Economic and Co-operative Development

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-1691