EMO – The Ontario government is providing $153,000 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to the United Church of Canada to renovate the kitchen area in Emo Knox United Church. This investment will allow the broader community to access the facility, accommodate events and enhance community engagement in Northwestern Ontario.

“The Emo Knox United Church is an important hub for the community, and by upgrading and expanding the kitchen area, our government is making a real difference in the lives of local families and community members,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development and Member of Provincial Parliament for Kenora–Rainy River. “Our government is committed to ensuring northwestern communities have the resources they need to remain strong, healthy and vibrant.”

The United Church of Canada will use NOHFC funding to renovate the kitchen with new cupboards, countertops and appliances and upgrade the church’s hydro connection to a 400-amp service. Upgrading the kitchen will help with assembling community Christmas dinners for those in need, catering luncheons for community memorial services, accommodating day-to-day activities at the senior center, hosting community breakfast benefits and running the community soup-to-go event.

“Over the past few years we have been planning diligently to bring our underutilized building ‘back to life’. Knox church had been a hub of activity in Emo’s past, but over time, the aging structure has become out-dated and inefficient. We are especially excited to see the tiny old kitchen expanded to a state-of-the-art facility. Our sincerest thanks to NOHFC for making it all possible.” – Emo Knox United Church

The NOHFC promotes economic prosperity across Northern Ontario by providing financial assistance to projects—big and small, rural and urban—that stimulate growth, job creation and skills development. Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $685 million in 5,656 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $2.3 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 9,000 jobs.

Quick Facts

• The Ontario government launched new and improved NOHFC programs that support more projects in rural northern communities and make it easier for more people and businesses to apply. The programs target existing and emerging markets, provide more work opportunities for Indigenous people and address the skilled labour shortage in the North.

Additional Resources

• The NOHFC, Northern Development Offices and Small Business Enterprise Centres are available to support northern communities, businesses and other stakeholders in identifying economic development opportunities and assist in accessing government funding programs.

• The NOHFC’s Community Enhancement Program builds strong and resilient northern communities through targeted investments in critical infrastructure.

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Media Contacts

Curtis Lindsay, Minister’s Office — 437-240-7317 — curtis.lindsay@ontario.ca

Media Desk, Communications Branch — mediadesk.ndm@ontario.ca