CHELMSFORD – The Ontario government is providing more than $3.4 million through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to six business development projects in the Nickel Belt region. This investment will expand company operations and create good jobs in Northeastern Ontario.

“Since modernizing NOHFC programming, our government has helped more businesses expand, here in the Nickel Belt region and across the North, than ever before,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development. “The projects we are recognizing this evening – from increasing manufacturing capacity at Equipment North to nearly doubling Skyline Helicopter Technologies’ facilities – demonstrate the real difference our investments are making for northern families and businesses.”

The NOHFC is funding the following business expansion projects:

• $1 million for Walden Welding & Mechanical Inc. – a custom welding and millwright mechanical services company – to build a new facility and purchase equipment
• $897,728 for Equipment North Inc. – a supplier, manufacturer and servicer of heavy industrial equipment – to construct an additional workshop and purchase equipment
• $781,368 for Morin Industrial Coatings Ltd. – an industrial surface treatments services company – to construct an additional workshop and purchase equipment
• $376,991 for Fuller Industrial Corp. – a designer, supplier and servicer of engineered piping systems – to purchase equipment
• $303,356 for Skyline Helicopter Technologies – an aircraft repair and services company – to renovate its existing hangar and build an extension onto it, construct a new helipad and purchase avionics equipment
• $132,874 for Memory Gardens Pet Crematorium Inc. – a pet cremation services provider – to build a new facility and purchase equipment.

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 $762 million in 6,309 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $2.3 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 9,750 jobs.

Quick Fact

• 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.
• The NOHFC’s Invest North Program boosts economic growth and attracts more investment by supporting business development, expansion and innovation.

Quotes

“Since the launch of our expansion, we’ve hired 15 skilled tradespeople, enriching our team and amplifying our capacity for growth. Upon completion, we anticipate hiring an additional 20 full-time employees, a testament to our commitment to fostering local talent and invigorating the Northern Ontario economy. We extend our gratitude to the NOHFC for their support in realizing this vision. Their contribution has played a pivotal role in driving this initiative forward, ensuring its positive impact in Northern Ontario.”

– Marlon Adams, President, Walden Welding & Mechanical Inc.

“This investment from the NOHFC has enabled us to increase manufacturing capacity, expand our range of services and create additional employment opportunities in Northern Ontario.” – Ryan Matusch, Vice President, Equipment North Inc.

“This contribution from the NOHFC facilitated the scale up and modernization of our operations here at Skyline Helicopter Technologies. The installation of a new helipad and expansion of our facilities to almost double in size has helped us take on more clients, reach new markets, hire additional people, diversify our avionics capabilities and deliver improved services to our existing and future clients.” – Joe Natale, President and Director of Maintenance, Skyline Helicopter Technologies

“The funding we received from the NOHC has allowed us to reach out to underserved areas in Northeastern Ontario. We have created full-time permanent jobs, built partnerships with other small businesses and provided quality service to pet owners in the North thanks to the support of the Ontario government.” – Roc Lariviere, President, Memory Gardens Pet Crematorium Inc.

Media Contacts

Curtis Lindsay, Minister’s Office 437-240-7317 curtis.lindsay@ontario.ca

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