LOCAL BUSINESS BENEFITS FROM LOANS ASSOCIATION PROGRAM

A local business has a little more financial latitude after receiving a small business loan from the Youth Opportunities Unleashed (YOU) program, offered by the department of Regional Economic and Co-operative Development.

Vinessa Currie and Stacey Gross operate Clearwater Canoeing Ltd., where patrons can embark on a three-day "History & Heroes," all-inclusive five star tour of the North Saskatchewan River in traditional fashion. The canoeing adventure allows patrons to learn about the past 300 years, including the wildlife, vegetation and geographic environment on the North Saskatchewan River.

Starting from the Big Gully, northeast of Maidstone on the North Saskatchewan River, the journey will take paddlers and adventure seekers all the way to Finlayson Island for a final tour of Fort Battleford accompanied by a shooting of the cannons.

"Canoeing is about romance, history and having fun," Currie said. "Everyone can do it and learn about Saskatchewan's history in the process."

Currie and Gross turned to the YOU program for help getting Clearwater Canoeing off the ground, and into the water.

"The YOU program has greatly assisted us in start-up costs so we can better utilize our own funds for marketing and promotion," Gross said.

"I'm pleased to see young entrepreneurs taking advantage of the programs we've developed to help them along," Regional Economic and Co-operative Development Minister Lon Borgerson said. "Clearwater Canoeing is an example of a great business idea, and I'm proud to know that my department had a hand in getting them going."

Under the YOU component of the Small Business Loans Association Program, young entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 34 are eligible for a loan of up to $15,000 to help get their business going. This includes any entrepreneur who has experienced difficulty in obtaining financing through traditional means. The intent of the program is to provide help to entrepreneurs who otherwise might not get started.

"The YOU program is specifically geared at assisting young entrepreneurs in their unique business idea," Regional Economic and Co-operative Development Regional Development Co-ordinator Kristopher Brown said. "We are excited to see a rural community benefit from the innovation shown by both Vinessa and Stacey in combining their passion for history and canoeing into an incredible tourism experience."

For more information on how to take advantage of the YOU Program, please visit www.recd.gov.sk.ca and click on Small Business Loans.

People in the Maidstone region can also contact Big Gully REDA at 306-893-2391.

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For more information, contact:

Jenna Robertson
Regional Economic and Co-operative Development
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2359

Clearwater Canoeing
Phone: 306-895-2001