Ontario announces $2.2M investment in Waterloo area manufacturers
by CM Staff
The province is investing nearly $2.2 million in four businesses through the Regional Development Program, which will help create 85 jobs and retain 233 jobs.
ST. JACOBS – The Ontario government is supporting an investment of $20.5 million by Kitchener-Waterloo-area manufacturers to strengthen domestic manufacturing and agri-food production and attract investment in the local economy. The province is investing nearly $2.2 million in four businesses through the Regional Development Program, which will help create 85 jobs and retain 233 jobs.
“Through the Regional Development Program, our government is making targeted investments in local manufacturers to help them create good, local jobs,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “These projects are making a significant impact in communities and economies across Waterloo Region by helping to secure private-sector investments to create conditions for long-term economic growth and build an economy that makes Ontario the best place in the world to do business, work and raise a family.”
Huron Digital Pathology is investing nearly $4.7 million to expand its manufacturing capacity to meet global demand for its TissueScope iQ digital pathology scanner. With $500,000 in support from the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, the company will create five jobs and retain 22 positions. Hospitals and research centres worldwide use this scanner to digitize glass biopsy slides for disease diagnosis and advancing cancer research. The project will hopefully increase Huron’s production efficiencies and open new opportunities to access global markets.
Ontario is also investing in three other Kitchener-Waterloo-area companies:
Blendtek Ingredients is investing over $6.2 million to expand and upgrade its ingredient solutions and product development facility. Ontario is investing $940,000 from the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, which will support Blendtek to create 21 jobs and retain 37 positions. Serving customers across North America, the company manufactures and distributes ingredients for the food, pharmaceutical and industrial sectors, primarily the agri-food sector. Through this project, Blendtek will be in a position to meet consumer demands, support allergen segregation, reduce cross contamination and improve the traceability of its products.
RTS Companies Inc. is investing $5 million to construct a new 15,000-square-foot facility to accommodate production of disinfectant wipes for hard surfaces such as shopping carts. Ontario is investing $500,000 from the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, which will support RTS in creating 12 jobs and retaining 23 positions. Locally sourced inputs will allow the company to control its supply chain and better meet consumer demand for new products. RTS customers include major chains such as Loblaws, Home Depot, Canadian Tire, Lowes, and Tim Hortons.
Delta Elevator Company Ltd. is investing more than $4.5 million to help the company expand and modify operations at a new facility. Ontario is investing more than $227,000 from the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, which will support Kitchener-based Delta Elevator in creating 47 jobs and retaining 151 positions. The project will hope to improve efficiency and production capacity, as well as add new in-house capabilities and result in a 15-20 per cent reduction in outsourcing.
