Ontario investing close to $3M in Cornwall area businesses
by CM Staff
The investment, through the Regional Development Fund, will hopefully help to create 42 jobs and help retain almost 250 jobs.
Ontario government announces nearly $3M for Cornwall area businesses.
IROQUOIS — The Ontario government is investing nearly $3 million in three Cornwall-area businesses through the Regional Development Program that will hopefully help to create 42 jobs and help retain almost 250 jobs.
“Our government’s top priority throughout the pandemic has been protecting the province’s health and protecting our jobs and economy,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “These projects will make a significant impact in communities and economies in Eastern Ontario. They will enable long-term measurable outcomes, including private-sector investments, job creation and retention, and strong regional growth.”
Ross Video Ltd. is investing $15 million in a 55,000-square-foot facility expansion to build space for two major production lines in Iroquois. With $2.25 million from the Eastern Ontario Development Fund, the company is creating 30 jobs and retaining 215. This investment will assist in the expansion of Ross Video’s Iroquois facility, help them purchase new equipment, and scale up local manufacturing by consolidating operations from other locations to accommodate recent international acquisitions. Ontario’s investment will also increase production efficiencies and innovation and expand sales into new markets. Since 1974, Ross Video has been designing, marketing and manufacturing a wide range of products for use in broadcast, distribution, live event and production applications. The products are found in over 100 countries and are used to produce and distribute video and audio signals.
“I am extremely proud to be breaking ground on our factory expansion, said Ross Video Chief Executive Officer David Ross. “This event combines our commitment to my hometown of Iroquois, a low carbon footprint green facility, and a major increase of our manufacturing capacity to serve our growing global customer base.”
Ontario is also investing in two other Cornwall-area projects.
Sevita International Corp. is investing over $3.6 million to build a new soybean processing facility in Inkerman, which will be uniquely designed to allow the processing and packaging of both seed and food-grade soybeans in the same plant. Ontario is investing $500,000 from the Eastern Ontario Development Fund which will support Sevita to create seven jobs and retain 28. With this investment, Sevita will grow its seed business in Eastern Ontario by about 50 per cent. The state-of-the-art plant will lower production costs and improve quality. Sevita will also purchase innovative equipment that warms seeds to extend the seed processing and treating season. This is something no other seed plant in Ontario currently does. Sevita is an Ontario-based agri-food company which processes non-GMO IP soybeans for food purposes to foreign markets and sells the seeds to produce the beans to domestic growers. About 85 per cent of their revenue is foreign based.
Fortier Stark Industrial is investing $1.5 million to construct a new facility in Winchester and purchase equipment to increase production capacity and sales into new markets. With $225,000 from the Eastern Ontario Development Fun, the company is creating five jobs and retaining another five. With this investment, the company will manufacture and clean stainless steel tanks and process piping skids for the food, dairy and beverage industry. The company provides custom fabrications, designs and builds. It also specializes in high-pressure pipe welding and fabrication, mobile welding and millwright services.
