Media equipment lines the entrance to the Algo Centre Mall in Elliot Lake, Ont., on June 28, 2012. Ontario's government says it will spend $2 million to help Elliot Lake businesses recover after a deadly mall collapse. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
July 11, 2012 - 10:53 AM
TORONTO - The governing Liberal say they'll spend $2 million to help Elliot Lake businesses recover after a deadly mall collapse.
They say the two-year fund will help businesses affected by the collapse to reopen in temporary locations and put mall employees back to work.
The government says the fund will also support economic development projects that will help those businesses find permanent homes.
The collapse of a section of the mall's roof, which resulted in the deaths of two women, dealt a massive blow to the city's economy.
A significant portion of the city's retail shops as well as the library, one of two grocery stores, one of two hotels and other offices were destroyed in the disaster.
The government says the money will come from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp.
It says it will also provide another $50,000 to support mid- to long-term programs that will create jobs, grow the business community and strengthen the economy.
The government is also setting up a temporary office where staff will work with provincial ministries, the municipality and local businesses to put the economy back on the road to recovery.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012