Ontario invests over $2M in the Thunder Bay area manufacturing sector

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 try and 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.”

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.

“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.” said 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.” said Don DeMichele, President, Canada Concrete Corporation.