Regional business service centre to open

[CAWED]

_REGIONAL BUSINESS SERVICE CENTRE TO OPEN_

_GIMLI, Manitoba – A new Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre
(C/MBSC) network site in Gimli will provide valuable information and
resources for entrepreneurs in the east Interlake region looking to
start or expand a business._

Opening of the new site was announced today by the _Honourable Ron J.
Duhamel, Secretary of State for Western Economic Diversification, _and
the_ Honourable James Downey, Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism.
_
"Thanks to this new site, small business owners in Gimli and the
surrounding area will have the help they need to be compete in
today’s business world," said _Dr. Duhamel_. "The Government of
Canada is pleased to partner with the province and the community to
bring these much-needed services and resources directly to local
residents."

"Small business owners are the backbone of our economy and we are
pleased to participate in this expansion of the Canada/Manitoba
Business Service Centres across Manitoba," said _Mr. Downey_. "Making
business information and resources more accessible means
entrepreneurs, no matter where they’re located, will have more
tools to make their businesses prosper."

"We are excited about having this Canada/Manitoba network site in our
community," said _Jim Dalton, superintendent of Evergreen School
Division_. "With the new business publications, computer access and
information resources, we will be able to provide the necessary
information to help more people become successful entrepreneurs."

The new C/MBSC network site, to be located in _Gimli_, will be managed
by _Clayton Tompkins _and_ Gail Emms_. Through a computerized link-up
with the main C/MBSC office in Winnipeg, clients will have direct
access to a wide variety of government and business information.
Working in partnership with community and industry organizations, the
main office will provide expert business advice, counselling and
support to aspiring entrepreneurs and small businesses.

To be successful, entrepreneurs require access to education,
technology and business development resources. Through a cooperative
arrangement with the main C/MBSC office in _Winnipeg_, clients across
_Manitoba_ will have direct access to a wide variety of government and
business information.

This expansion to rural areas will ensure a broader awareness of the
C/MBSC and its services. An [3]additional 17 centres will be set-up
throughout the province, located in _Community Futures Development
Corporation (CFDC) offices_, enterprise centres, municipal
organizations, as well as youth, Aboriginal and technical centres.

The C/MBSC was established in 1998 as a joint partnership between the
federal and provincial governments to consolidate similar services
into one central area. Its mandate is to serve small business by
making available the information they need to succeed in today’s
business environment. The C/MBSC is managed by _Western Economic
Diversification Canada _and_ Manitoba Industry, Trade and Tourism_.

_Canada Business Service Centres_ provide timely, accurate information
and referral services to new or existing entrepreneurs free of charge
in all regions of the country. There are 12 CBSCs across Canada. By
March 1999, 370 access arrangements, much like this site, will be on
stream, helping to strengthen community economic development.

The regionalization of the C/MBSC sites complements the national
_Canada/ Manitoba Business Service Centre network_ which will see up
to 3,700 sites set up throughout Canada and the Northwest Territories.
This expansion of service is also one step closer to realizing the
Government of Canada’s _‘Connecting Canadians’
initiative_, which is helping Canadians to become the most connected
people on earth, ready for the jobs and opportunities of today’s
knowledge-based economy.