SUDBURY – The Ontario government is providing more than $1.8 million through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to eight economic development projects in Greater Sudbury. This investment will improve municipal infrastructure, expand company operations, promote innovative products and create jobs in the Northeast.

“The extensive enhancements our government made to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund are working, and today we are celebrating local success stories here in Greater Sudbury,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development. “Whether it’s supporting business expansions, investing in new and emerging technologies, or helping businesses establish their presence in the North, the projects we support through the NOHFC contribute to economic development all across Ontario.”

The NOHFC is funding the following projects:

• $500,000 for Kivi Park Community Foundation to construct a maintenance building and purchase a tractor and trailer to maintain trails in Kivi Park – a 300-acre, four-season outdoor recreation destination
• $400,000 for Lasalle Animal Clinic – a veterinary clinic – to relocate and grow its business by purchasing and renovating a new facility and buying equipment
• $238,910 for Ramco FN Ltd. and Ramco Emi Construction Ltd. – construction companies that provide electrical and mechanical services – to support their electrical contracting operations by renovating a facility and purchasing equipment
• $215,625 for Spectrum Telecom Group Ltd. – a wireless solutions company – to expand its business offerings to include live video monitoring, video surveillance and access control services by renovating its facility, training its technicians and purchasing equipment
• $167,623 for Nesci’s Prepared Foods Ltd. to establish a food processing company that makes premade meals by renovating its facility and purchasing equipment
• $160,861 for Michel A.S. Larivière Psychology Professional Corp. – a company specializing in occupational health and provides psychological consulting, assessment, and treatment services – to develop its Work Wellbeing Assessment Guide software prototype that helps make predictions, identify treatment, and monitor progress for the successful return-to-work of injured and ill workers
• $145,500 for Renewable Resource Recovery Corp. (R3C) – a renewable energy development company – to demonstrate and commercialize its fossil fuel free @Source-Energy System designed to supply buildings with electricity, heating and hot water
• $24,000 for Nickel District Conservation Foundation to build an accessible deck and ramp at BioSki Cottage – a year-round recreation facility in Lake Laurentian Conservation 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. 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 Community Enhancement Program builds strong and resilient northern communities through targeted investments in critical infrastructure.
• The NOHFC’s Invest North Program boosts economic growth and attracts more investment by supporting business development, expansion and innovation.

Quotes

“The generous grant from NOHFC has enabled us to construct a maintenance building that is pivotal not only for storing and working on our grooming and maintenance equipment but also for enhancing our operations. This facility provides a safe and comfortable space for our staff and volunteers, fostering a better working environment that translates into more effective park maintenance and service. We are deeply grateful for NOHFC’s ongoing support, which not only uplifts our facilities but also energizes our community, demonstrating how strategic assistance can profoundly impact both places and people.” – Kerry Lamarche, Executive Director, Kivi Park Community Foundation

“Our veterinary clinic had greatly outgrown its old location and our ability to help more animals was bottlenecked. NOHFC funding allowed us to take the leap and build a modern hospital and nearly double in size. In our first month in the new space, we are already helping more animals. Beyond that, leading up to the move, having the new space on the horizon allowed us to embark on the most successful recruitment cycle we have ever had.” – Dr. Derek Laporte, President and Veterinary Doctor, Lasalle Animal Clinic

“RAMCO FN is growing quickly. This NOHFC contribution has allowed our company to enter a new space where we were able to renovate the office and warehouse to accommodate our growing staff and our day-to-day management activities. We are very conscience of our carbon footprint; the grant gave us the opportunity to purchase tools and equipment to help achieve our goal. Thank you NOHFC.” – Chris Boisvert, Owner and President, Ramco FN Ltd.

“With the help of NOHFC funding, we’ve directly hired two full-time positions for this new department since January and are hiring two students this summer, with two open technical positions to fill. We have also transferred three existing employees into this department who were backfilled by hiring replacements for their previous positions.” – Geoffrey Hatton, President and Chief Executive Officer, Spectrum Telecom Group Ltd.

“The entire food and restaurant industry has changed a lot since the pandemic and with shifting attitudes among customers, this financial support from the NOHFC has allowed us to adapt, adjust and grow in a sector that is seeing a lot of change and contraction. It’s programs like this that the Ontario government offers that helped make that happen.” – Ryan Nesci, Co-owner, Nesci’s Prepared Foods Ltd.

“Fully understanding the rationale and application of an innovation requires curiosity and patience. I am very grateful to NOHFC staff for providing us with both. Their support helps our team develop made-in-the-north technologies that improve fairness and care for injured and ill workers.” – Dr. Michel Larivière, Clinical Psychologist, Michel A.S. Larivière Psychology Professional Corp.

“Renewable Resource Recovery Corp. (R3C) has patented (pending) a concrete sewer pipe that captures heat from sewage effluent in cold weather and stores heat in warm weather. R3C has also developed a photovoltaic panel that generates both electrical and thermal energy. Both systems provide a source of renewable energy to buildings. NOHFC funding will help R3C develop a demonstration and commercialization facility at a local senior apartment building. As well, two PhD students from Concordia University are completing their thesis on this project.” – John Hood, Vice President of Research and Development, R3C

“The cottage at Lake Laurentian Conservation Area has been home to the BioSki Cross-country Ski and Snowshoe Club for 50 years. In that time, the club has collaborated with Nickel District Conservation Foundation and its landlord, Conservation Sudbury, to improve the trails and the building for year-round use. By adding a new deck and ramp, the building will become accessible for all visitors and allow this barrier-free space to be used for gatherings by more community groups. The Nickel District Conservation Foundation appreciates the support of the NOHFC in making this space welcoming for all.” – Carl Jorgensen, General Manager, Nickel District Conservation Foundation

Media Contacts

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

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