THUNDER BAY – The Ontario government is providing $2,135,745 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to support the manufacturing sector in Northwestern Ontario. This investment will help build a stronger Ontario by creating jobs, expanding business operations, supporting critical infrastructure and improving quality of life in the North.
“Supporting the manufacturing industry in the Thunder Bay area not only helps create good-paying jobs, but also helps keep the North competitive,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development. “These businesses play a critical role in the northern economy, supporting the community and contributing to the province’s prosperity as a whole.”
Glad to join @KHollandMPP in announcing over $2.1M to support Thunder Bay’s manufacturing sector.
These businesses play a critical role in building a stronger ON & we are proud to support job creators expand & diversify their operations across the North. https://t.co/1c1HNvQhtw pic.twitter.com/xeaz9ERIwB
— Greg Rickford (@GregRickford) October 5, 2022
The following projects are receiving NOHFC funding:
- $970,000 to Itec 2000 Equipment Inc. for a new hydraulic shop
- $267,374 to Canada Concrete Corporation to expand its concrete manufacturing operation
- $217,920 to Thunder Bay Hydraulics to commercialize a car lift
- $195,000 to EcoCarbon Foam to create an extruded polystyrene (XPS) manufacturing plant start-up
- $132,814 to Lakehead Ironworks Inc. for three projects:
- $79,040 for a new cold storage building
- $25,374 to make building improvements, purchase an align boring machine and install air quality equipment
- $28,400 to purchase a 300-tonne hydraulic press brake
- $111,071 to A.M. Ludwig Saw Shop to purchase and install equipment
- $99,300 to Peterson Machine and Supply Inc. to purchase a large boring mill
- $90,210 to KMH Industries for a pilot demonstration and commercialization of a roller ski treadmill
- $44,089 to Countermeasures Security Solutions Inc. (now known as Secure Orbit Inc) to purchase equipment and upgrade its facility
- $7,967 for North West Industries Inc. to upgrade and purchase new equipment
“The manufacturing sector has a long history in the Thunder Bay area,” said Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay—Atikokan. “Investments like these help the sector grow and thrive, but also provide a source of income for families throughout the area.”
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 $559 million in 4,748 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $1.82 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 7,500 jobs.
Quick Facts
- In 2021, 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.
Quotes
“Government of Ontario funding has helped our operational expansion by creating an innovative hydraulic shop, creating seven equipment technicians’ positions who can better service the forestry, mining and construction sectors in Northwestern Ontario. We now have over 55 full-time employees and four branch locations and have been able to expand our reach and offer more comprehensive services and strengthening community support. ”
– Ray Jarvinen
President, Itec 200 Equipment Inc.
“NOHFC support has been key to our ready-mix concrete expansion investments, allowing our company to build capacity, create jobs, and better serve the Northwest region.”
– Don DeMichele
President, Canada Concrete Corporation
“NOHFC has really helped our company build capacity and expand our market reach, while we maintain our competitiveness and create jobs.”
– Jamie Crozier
Operations and General Manager, Thunder Bay Hydraulics
“NOHFC played a big role in making Eco Carbon Foam happen. With the assistance of the Ontario Government and Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation we have been able to purchase and import new equipment and start production of extruded insulation made from recycled polystyrene here in Thunder Bay. We highly appreciate the support from the province of Ontario in helping to set our company on the map.”
– Viktor and Elena Rogalski
Owners, EcoCarbon Foam
“The NOHFC funding assistance has assisted our company with purchasing new technology and better equipment to meet the needs of the region’s diversified and growing industrial landscape.”
– Paul Peterson
Manager, Peterson Machine and Supply Inc.
“With the funding support of the NOHFC for our research and development project, we can now fulfill our goal of providing a new innovative product to the global sports training world, right here from Thunder Bay.”
– Marko Seppanen
President, KMH Industries
“I have no words that fully convey how much NOHFC has assisted, not just Lakehead Ironworks but also the surrounding communities and Northwestern Ontario. With the help of NOHFC, Lakehead Ironworks has been able to continue expanding which has allowed us to keep the work in NWO and provide a workplace that rivals the best. We have prospered but more importantly our employees prospered in wages, health and benefits. Thank you NOHFC.”
– Uwe Quast
Owner, Lakehead Ironworks Inc.
“Countermeasures Security Solutions Inc. is leading the way for the physical security industry. The Province of Ontario is a key partner in its success. With their assistance, Countermeasures Security Solutions Inc. is able to modernize its production capabilities and increase workflow efficiencies.”
– Tyler Bragnalo
Director of Innovation, Countermeasures Security Solutions Inc. (now known as Secure Orbit Inc.)
“NOHFC support allowed us to purchase the equipment we needed to become more innovative and reach new industrial customers across North America.”
– Dan LeGros
Director, North West Industries Inc.
SOURCE Province of Ontario
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