KINGSTON – The Ontario government is supporting GreenCentre Canada’s investment of more than $1 million with a $543,300 grant through the Regional Development Program to boost innovation and accelerate the chemical industry in Eastern Ontario while supporting the province’s economic recovery. This investment will enhance GreenCentre Canada’s efforts to help companies in the region accelerate commercialization of new products and expand their national and global sales.
“Ontario is proud to be making targeted investments through the Regional Development Program to help GreenCentre Canada create good local jobs,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “We thank them for contributing to our province’s vibrant and growing chemical sector. This project is making a significant impact on the Kingston and Eastern Ontario regional economy by investing in Ontario’s talented workforce and creating the conditions for long-term economic growth.”
GreenCentre Canada is a not-for-profit organization that helps companies transform their chemistry-based ideas into sustainable commercial products and processes. Its state-of-the-art lab is staffed by a team of scientists and engineers who provide companies with expert technical development services. The organization has a strong track record of accelerating the growth of innovative companies. It has directly assisted over 150 Canadian companies, which have raised $980 million in subsequent investment and created over 500 jobs. With Ontario’s investment, GreenCentre Canada will provide its expertise to companies in the region looking to expand their range of products and services.
“GreenCentre is pleased to support the Province’s Regional Development Program in Eastern Ontario,” said Dr. Andrew Pasternak, Executive Director. “It is very challenging for growing chemical companies to duplicate even a fraction of the facilities or expertise that we have amassed over the last decade. Companies served by our Mobilize program will be able to access the talent and resources to grow their business locally and make Eastern Ontario a leading producer of innovative chemical technologies.”
Ontario is investing more than $100 million through the Regional Development Program from 2019 to 2023 to support distinct regional priorities and challenges and boost the province’s economic recovery. The program provides cost-shared funding to businesses, municipalities and economic development organizations to help local communities attract investment, diversify their economies, and create good, local jobs.
Quick Facts
- The government launched the Regional Development Program for Eastern and Southwestern Ontario in November 2019. Businesses and municipalities can get financial support through the Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) and Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) and guided access to a range of complementary services and supports.
- The government recently launched the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness (AMIC) stream of the Regional Development Program to help support Ontario advanced manufacturers to invest in the equipment, advanced technologies and skilled workforce needed to improve competitiveness, growth, and create, retain and bring jobs back to every region of the province.
- The government is providing 21 days of electricity rate relief to support families and workers spending more time at home, as well as small businesses. To help Ontarians get through this difficult time, electricity rates have been lowered to the lowest price, the off-peak rate of 8.2 cents, 24 hours a day. Ratepayers don’t need to do anything: this change will happen automatically for any Ontarian who is currently paying regulated rates set by the Ontario Energy Board and gets a bill from a utility, whether they are a Time-of-Use customer or a Tiered Rate customer. This change will help reduce costs for all residential, small business and farm customers as Ontarians spend some more time at home.
SOURCE Province of Ontario
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