SASKBIO PROGRAM OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED

Details of the Saskatchewan Biofuels Investment Opportunity (SaskBIO) program announced previously by Premier Lorne Calvert were unveiled today in Saskatoon.

Labour Minister David Forbes, on behalf of Regional Economic and Co-operative Development Minister Lon Borgerson was on hand to launch the SaskBIO advertising campaign and new website, and to invite applications from interested organizations.

"This is a great day for the future of our biofuels industry in Saskatchewan," Forbes said. "So many producers have been waiting for this day, and I am proud to be a part of making it a reality so that we can help those in the Biofuels sector build their futures right here in Saskatchewan."

President of the Saskatchewan Biofuels Development Council Judie Dyck is pleased that the government has moved quickly to make application forms available. "Timing is critical, especially in this emerging industry, and we're very happy to see the program up and running quickly," Dyck said. "Now it's up to communities and other stakeholders to expand and develop the biofuels industry into everything we hope it will be."

The new website, found on www.saskatchewan.ca, provides access to applications forms as well as information on biofuels, from its environmental benefits to information for farmers. The new $150,000 marketing campaign, which runs domestically and nationally, will make its way into popular print publications over the next few weeks.

"The SaskBIO program will be competitive with other programs across the provinces," Forbes said. "The purpose of the marketing campaign is to tell everyone that Saskatchewan is the place to invest in biofuels, and that this program is the key to developing the industry in our province."

In June, Premier Calvert was in Tisdale to announce $80 million in funding for the SaskBIO program. The four-year program provides repayable contributions of up to $10 million per project. An additional $2 million will also be provided for biofuels and bioproducts research and development.

"I know that Saskatchewan can be a leader in the emerging biofuels industry," Forbes said. "This is the first step in a new direction for our province. There are so many opportunities available to us, and this program will help us take full advantage of them."

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For more information, contact:

Jenna Robertson
Communications
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2359
Email: jroberts@agr.gov.sk.ca