DRYDEN – The Ontario government is providing over $633,000 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to three economic development projects in the City of Dryden. This investment will improve food sustainability, support agricultural innovation, and refurbish community infrastructure in Northwestern Ontario.
“Our investments in AgriTech North and the City of Dryden are examples of the projects our government is supporting to foster resilient Northern communities that are equipped for the future,” said Greg Rickford, MPP for Kenora–Rainy River and Minister of Northern Development. “We are leveraging partnerships with local businesses and municipalities to ensure families in the Northwest can count on sustainable community infrastructure, as well as sustainable food solutions.”
The NOHFC is funding the following projects:
- $250,000 for AgriTech North to develop an innovative thin multi-layer greenhouse envelope to provide optimal plant growth conditions. This will contribute to producing nutrient-dense food crops for Northern Ontario, specifically improving food security in rural and remote communities.
- $250,000 for AgriTech North to develop an innovative non-refrigerant-based thermal system to create cost-effective, year-round food production in indoor farming facilities. This will provide sustainable heating for greenhouse farming in Northern Ontario.
- $133,153 for the City of Dryden to replace the library roof and heating, ventilation and air conditioning system to improve efficiency and maintain this vital community asset.
The NOHFC fosters economic growth, job creation, and workforce development throughout the North, benefiting communities of all sizes, both rural and urban, including Indigenous communities. Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $835 million in 6,713 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $2.4 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 10,380 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.
- The NOHFC’s Community Enhancement Program builds strong and resilient northern communities through targeted investments in critical infrastructure.
- The NOHFC’s Invest North Program boosts economic growth by supporting business development, expansion and innovation.
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
“With the generous funding from the NOHFC, AgriTech North will be able to pursue industry-disruptive technologies that show promise for achieving net-zero, energy-independent, year-round growing in rural and remote communities throughout Northern Ontario. The two successful applications will develop and protect our innovations in non-refrigerant-oriented thermal fluid climate control and a novel greenhouse envelope. We are excited to have the opportunity to work with NOHFC on leveraging these technologies to end food insecurity for our rural and remote communities.” – Benjamin Feagin Jr., Chief Executive Officer, AgriTech North
“I want to thank Minister Rickford and the NOHFC team for their funding support for the rehabilitation work at Dryden’s public library. The funding that NOHFC provides makes a tremendous impact in our community and other communities and businesses across Northern Ontario. We truly appreciate the Ontario government’s support.” – Roger Nesbitt, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Dryden
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Media Contacts | ontario.ca/mnd-news |
Curtis Lindsay, Minister’s Office
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