Ontario Bringing Economic and Job Training Opportunities
to Atikokan
Provincial investment supporting business growth and skills development
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NEWS |
December 21, 2022 |
ATIKOKAN – The Ontario government is providing more than $706,000 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to six business development projects in Atikokan. This investment will help create jobs and expand company operations in the northwest.
The following projects are receiving NOHFC funding:
- $539,773 for BioPower Sustainable Energy Corporation – a manufacturer of commercial and residential grade wood pellets – to purchase new equipment to diversify its product offerings, increase its production capacity and expand its market presence into the United States and Italy
- $66,664 for Branch’s Seine River Lodge Outfitters – a hunting and fishing lodge – to upgrade and winterize its facilities and purchase new equipment
- $35,000 for the Atikokan General Hospital to hire a Rehabilitation Aide Intern
- $35,000 for the Museum of Atikokan to hire a Curatorial and Archivist Assistant Intern
- $26,312 for Caron’s Auto – a car repair shop – to hire an Automotive Mechanic Apprentice
- $3,620 for Beaten Path Nordic Trails – a non-profit cross-country ski club that operates 30 kilometers of trails connecting Atikokan to Quetico Provincial Park – to purchase a mechanical brusher for the maintenance of the trail system.
“Supporting internships and local businesses will help create jobs, keep the north competitive and attract new investment,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development. “Our government is helping companies thrive and providing real opportunities for employment in Atikokan.”
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 $578 million in 4,935 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $1.87 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 7,870 jobs.
Quick Facts
- In 2021, 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
- The NOHFC, Northern Development Offices and Small Business Enterprise Centres are available to support northern communities, businesses and other stakeholders in identifying economic development opportunities and assist in accessing government funding programs.
Quotes
“The NOHFC has been instrumental in reducing the rehabilitation waitlist for Atikokan. The funding that Atikokan General Hospital received was used to hire a Rehabilitation Aide Intern. This intern support increased mobility programs for our long-term care residents and alternate level of care patients. The hospital is extremely grateful for this support, which directly impacted the quality of care for Atikokan and surrounding communities. Thank you!” – Jorge VanSlyke, President and CEO, Atikokan General Hospital
“The NOHFC’s internship program is invaluable to the modernization of the museum operation, helping transform the management of the museum from the slow and difficult years of paper records to digital records. The museum collection was established 50 years ago, so there is a massive amount of work in the digitization effort. The Curatorial and Archivist Assistant Intern is benefiting from practical, hands-on experience and has brought skills, interests and talents that serve them well in their work.” – Lois Fenton, Curator, Museum of Atikokan
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Media Contacts |
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Erika Robson, Minister’s Office 416-450-1309 Media Desk, Communications Branch |
Disponible en français |
