SAULT STE. MARIE – The Ontario government is providing more than $596,000 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to two Sault Ste. Marie companies. This investment will help create highly skilled jobs, increase operational capacity, efficiency and productivity, and stimulate economic development in the northeast.

“This investment totalling nearly $600,000 between SIS Manufacturing and Apex Cranes have leveraged well over $1 million and helped to create new full-time jobs here in Sault Ste. Marie,” said Ross Romano, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie. “Local businesses like these contribute to our local, regional and provincial economies and are a great example of our community being an important part of the integrated supply chain in industrial manufacturing.”

NOHFC funding will go to the following projects:

• $545,768 for SIS Manufacturing Corp. – a steel beam manufacturer – to purchase a new plasma cutting machine, laser tracking system and lathe
• $50,810 for Apex Cranes Ltd. – a crane and concrete pumping services business – to purchase a new concrete pump.

“Supporting local companies creates jobs, attracts new investment and keeps the North competitive and current,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development. “Our funding helps businesses thrive and provides real opportunities for northern entrepreneurs.”

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 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

“We want to thank MPP Romano, Minister Rickford, and the Ontario government for their continued support and investment into Northern Ontario businesses. This NOHFC investment has allowed us to purchase a new CNC lathe with live tooling, used to machine pivot pins, a major component on the under frame, and a laser tracking system that will allow us to weld ultra light locomotive frames. Through investments made by the NOHFC, SIS Manufacturing and other businesses across the North are able to grow and continue to contribute to the economic well-being of the province.” – Tony Porco, Owner and President, SIS Manufacturing Corp.

“Apex Cranes is grateful for NOHFC funding for our new Alliance 38M concrete pumper truck. The support of the NOHFC and Ontario government has been an integral component to the continued development of Apex Cranes and is a welcomed reassurance that the current government is committed to the ongoing development of small business, job creation, and the economy as a whole in Northern Ontario. The Apex Cranes family thanks you!” – Adam Zalewski, President, Apex Cranes Ltd.

Media Contacts

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

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