Ontario Bringing Economic Development Opportunities to Timmins

Posted on February 14, 2023

TIMMINS – The Ontario government is providing more than $570,000 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to three companies in Timmins to support business development and expansion. This investment will create jobs, increase operational capacity, efficiency and productivity, and further economic prosperity in the northeast.

“Supporting local businesses in the area like Industrial Rigging & Supply, The Bucket Shop and Focused Vision will help continue to build our community as a major economic hub,” said George Pirie, MPP for Timmins.

The NOHFC is funding the following projects in Timmins:

  • $251,500 for The Bucket Shop Inc. – a heavy equipment manufacturing and refurbishing business – to build a new assembly area and purchase a water jet cutting table
  • $202,800 for Global Industrial Rigging & Supply Inc. – a manufacturer of wire rope slings, wire rope assemblies and chain assemblies – to purchase and renovate a building and buy equipment
  • $115,970 for Focused Vision - The Glasses Experts Inc. to establish an optical business that includes a manufacturing lab and optometrist office and caters to low-income customers needing affordable eyewear.

“Supporting local businesses as they expand helps create jobs, keeps the North competitive and attracts new investment,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development. “This funding is helping companies thrive, leading to economic diversification and providing real opportunities for employment in Timmins.”

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. Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $608 million in 5,070 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $1.93 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 8,100 jobs.

Quick Facts

  • The Ontario government launched new and improved NOHFC programs that support more projects in rural northern communities and make it easier for more people and businesses to apply. The programs target existing and emerging markets, provide more work opportunities for Indigenous people and address the skilled labour shortage in the north.

Additional Resources

Quotes

“The financial assistance received from the Ontario government will help expand our operation with additional equipment and facility upgrades necessary for us to continue supporting the increased demands for our services. Additionally, the role that MPP George Pirie has played in raising the profile of the mining sector, has firmly established Timmins as a prominent hub. The NOHFC contribution to our expansion will support the long-term prosperity of the sector.” – Jamie Pouw, Market Development Manager, The Bucket Shop Inc.

“We are thankful to the NOHFC for its funding support of our company, Industrial Rigging and Supply. Thanks to this funding, we are now able to bring state-of-the-art equipment, innovative services and expertise not currently addressed in the Timmins market. These investments will have a positive impact for the local industry for many years to come.” – Rob Dumouchel, President, Global Industrial Rigging & Supply Inc.

“Thank you to the NOHFC and Ontario government for the support received. This funding will help with the construction of our store and purchase of equipment to expand our business.” – Kristen Filion, Owner and Manager, Focused Vision - The Glasses Experts Inc.

Media Contacts

Erika Robson, Minister’s Office -- 416-450-1309 -- erika.robson@ontario.ca

Media Desk, Communications Branch -- mediadesk.ndm@ontario.ca