Province facing challenges in the future: MPP

The province needs to make tourism and agriculture higher priorities to meet challenges of the future, says local MPP Ted Arnott.
Ontario is facing several challenging trends, Arnott told about 60 people at a breakfast hosted by the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce last week.
An aging population means demands on health care spending and other government programs will increase.

GRCA board approves 2010 budget

The board of the Grand River Conservation Authority has approved a budget of just under $33 million for 2010.
The budget will pay the cost of GRCA programs that protect water quality, reduce flood damages, protect natural areas, support responsible development and provide outdoor recreation and environmental education.
The budget is about $1.6 million greater than in 2009 but much of the increase is due to one-time stimulus grants from the federal and provincial governments for construction projects at conservation areas.

Arts Centre seeking art auction items

The Elora Centre for the Arts is gearing up to its first annual Artcetra - A Fundraising Art Auction.
For three days in May, art lovers from all over Ontario will come to Elora for new and unique art pieces, estate items, and prize packages in a flash of paddles and furious scribbled silent bids. And they’ll all be taking home something golden.
From now until March 27, Elora Centre for the Arts is seeking donations of paintings, sculpture, and other functional or artistic pieces for its annual auction fundraising drive.

Awards of Excellence nomination deadline looming

There are still a few days left to nominate a business or individual for a Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce Award of Excellence.
Nominations are being until Friday, March 5, at 4 p.m. Now is the time to submit a nomination for a person or group you feel has contributed to making Centre Wellington a better place to live, work, or play.

For more on these and other stories, pick up your copy of the Fergus-Elora News Express today!