Regional business service centre opened in Dauphin

[CAWED]

NOVEMBER 27, 1998

_REGIONAL BUSINESS SERVICE CENTRE OPENED IN DAUPHIN_

_DAUPHIN, Manitoba – A new Canada/Manitoba Business Service
Centre (C/MBSC) network site will provide valuable information and
resources for entrepreneurs looking to start or expand a business. The
new C/MBSC network site will be located in the Dauphin Community
Economic Development office at Unit C, 21 - 3rd Avenue N.E._

The opening of the new business service centre was officially
announced today by the _Honourable Ron J. Duhamel, Secretary of State
for Western Economic Diversification, _and by the_ Honourable James
Downey, Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism_.

"Local entrepreneurs will find this centre very useful in helping them
with their business objectives," said _Dr. Duhamel_. "Through this
partnership with the provincial government and the Dauphin Community
Economic Development office, we are providing residents with the
necessary resources for business development in their own community."

"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_. "This
new site makes business information and resources more accessible to
entrepreneurs in Dauphin and provides them with more tools to make
their businesses prosper."

"The resource materials provided help ensure a client will find what
they need when they need it, acting as an excellent complement to the
services we provide," stated _Fred Davis, manager of the Dauphin
Community Economic Development office_. "Our research and development
capabilities will certainly assist many in seeing their dream become a
reality".

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. Working in partnership with community and
industry organizations, the C/MBSC sites will provide expert business
advice, counselling and support to aspiring entrepreneurs and small
businesses.

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_, entrepreneur 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 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.