Province Invests in Local Businesses to Boost Economic Growth in Southwestern Ontario

GUELPH – The Ontario government is supporting innovation and helping to strengthen local economies by investing over $2.6 million in three businesses in Guelph through the Regional Development Program, supporting a total investment of $23 million in domestic manufacturing and chemical processing by the Ontario government and participating businesses. This investment will help attract local investment, create 45 jobs and help retain over 370 jobs in Guelph.

Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, made the announcement today in Guelph, where the three local projects were announced.

“As Ontario turns the corner on the COVID-19 pandemic, one of our top priorities is economic growth and recovery,” said Minister Fedeli. “These projects will make a significant impact in their local economies. They will enable long-term measurable outcomes, including private-sector investments, job creation, job retention and strong regional growth.”

Walinga Inc., a third-generation family owned business, announced a $7.5 million expansion to manufacture two new agricultural products, one of which will be new to the industry. They are creating 15 new jobs and retaining 185, with $1.125 million from the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund. This investment will assist in the expansion of their facility and help them purchase new equipment, enabling production of two new agricultural products called the milinator and the barge unloader. The milinator, which is a new product for the industry, will help transform animal by-product into fertilizer. The barge unloader features a state-of-the-art vacuum and pressure unloader and targets markets with large receiving ports and dock spaces. Guelph-based Walinga has been manufacturing agricultural and transportation equipment for 65 years. Its product lines include feed trucks and trailers, rendering and recycling equipment and grain handling systems.

“Walinga Inc. is thrilled to be a recipient of funding through the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund,” said Butch Medemblik, CEO, Walinga Inc. “We have been designing and building Engineered Transportation Equipment and Pneumatic Conveying Systems for the agricultural industry for more than 65 years, with operations in Canada, the United States, and Australia. In order to meet the growing global demand for our products, the funding will help our company improve production capacities through retrofitting and expanding our two Southwestern Ontario manufacturing facilities resulting in increased employment opportunities for the region.”

Ontario is also investing in two other Guelph-area projects.

PDI Bulk is investing $5 million in specialized equipment for a new process to blend frozen chemicals for the polymer, chemical, and food sectors. They are creating nine new jobs, with $750,000 from the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund. With Ontario’s support, the company will blend frozen chemicals for the polymer, chemical and food sectors. This is a new process that will help PDI Bulk become one of the few North American companies with the infrastructure to support the frozen chemicals market. The company will also increase its transportation capabilities and efficiency in moving products into the U.S. market. In addition to creating nine jobs, the project will help retain over 100. PDI Bulk is headquartered in Ontario with facilities across Canada, operating in processing and transporting chemicals for the polymer, chemical and food sectors.

“PDI Bulk has been working on multiple projects that are expanding the depth and scope of our business,” said Rick Standish, Vice-President of PDI Bulk. “With the help of the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, PDI Bulk is well equipped to bring new employment to the communities in which we operate and continue the growth and expansion of our business.”

Newton Group Ltd. is investing $10.3 million to install equipment which will be the first-of-its-kind in Canada aimed to drastically improve a pre-fab building system for the construction market. The company is expanding its existing facility by 40,000 square feet to implement production of the new system which has already generated interest from developers throughout Canada. They are creating 21 new jobs while retaining over 75, with $800,000 from the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund. The new advanced manufacturing equipment will include robotics, which will help the company improve productivity and remain competitive. Newton Group is a vertically integrated general contractor that manufactures prefabricated building systems, providing solutions to customers including industrial companies, college and universities, and individual owners looking to build cost-effective and durable buildings using innovative modular construction.

“We are grateful for the help of the SWODF supporting our expansion efforts to expand and implement this cutting-edge technology which will pay off in jobs and provide needed capacity to build robust concrete energy efficient buildings for years to come,” said Ed Newton, President of Newton Group Ltd. “Our growth trajectory will continue upwards with this support to hire more, train more and build more as we move into the future.”

Ontario is investing more than $100 million through the Regional Development Program from 2019 to 2023 to support distinct regional priorities and challenges. The program provides cost-shared funding to businesses, municipalities and economic development organizations to help local communities attract investment, diversify their economies, and plan for long-term sustainability and growth.

Quick Facts