TIMMINS – The Ontario government is providing more than $5 million through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to eight economic development projects in Timmins. This investment will help create jobs, expand business operations and improve quality of life in the northeast.

“As one of the largest cities in Northern Ontario, Timmins is a major economic hub and industrial centre,” said George Pirie, MPP for Timmins. “By supporting local projects, our government is bringing investment and employment opportunities to the community.”

The following projects are receiving NOHFC funding:

• $2 million for Mikro-Tek Inc. – a biotechnology company specializing in natural methods to increase plant growth – to purchase equipment needed for the company to plant over 50 million seedlings and study the benefits of its seedling-fortification technology
• $1,614,503 for the City of Timmins to expand its stratospheric balloon launch base – the first and only facility of its kind in Canada
• $500,000 for My Animal Productions Inc. to produce the feature film My Animal, a supernatural, coming-of-age drama
• $395,164 for Dumoulin Trucking – a trucking and landscaping company serving the mining sector – to build a new facility and purchase equipment in order to expand its services to include heavy equipment truck washing
• $268,642 for Caron Equipment Inc. – a civil engineering firm specializing in mine site preparation and material handling – to build additional workspace and purchase a new excavator to fulfill new contracts, including one with Newmont at the Borden Mine
• $195,852 for Joel Vachon Trucking – a trucking company serving the mining, forestry and recycling sectors – to purchase additional trucks and trailers
• $81,800 for Superior Grading – a civil engineering contractor specializing in commercial and industrial projects serving the forestry and mining sectors – to purchase equipment to fulfill a contract with EACOM Timber
• $30,975 for Millson Design Solutions to establish a design firm specializing in 3D scanning and industrial design.

“Supporting local businesses as they expand and innovate will help create jobs, keep the north competitive and attract new investment,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development. “These investments are helping companies thrive, leading to economic diversification and providing real opportunities for employment in the Timmins 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 $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

“Ontario government funding will allow us, along with our Indigenous partners at Wahkohtowin Development GP Inc., to introduce a technology to be used in boreal reforestation, herbicide reduction and mine land reclamation projects across the province. Following an initial five-year pilot project in Ontario, we plan to fully commercialize the technology and replicate these carbon sequestration projects across Canada in partnership with additional Indigenous and industry partners.” – Mark Kean, President, Mikro-Tek Inc.

“The City of Timmins is pleased that the Ontario government and NOHFC are supporting the planned expansion of the Timmins Stratospheric Balloon Base at the Timmins Victor M. Power Airport. The funding provided will allow the city to continue to strengthen our partnership with the Canadian Space Agency and it reiterates the importance of the research and development activities undertaken at the site. This partnership and planned expansion will result in positive economic impacts for Timmins.” – Michelle Boileau, Mayor, City of Timmins

“We would like to express our appreciation for the support received from the Ontario government. NOHFC funding has helped us bring an industrial truck wash – the first of its kind – to Timmins and Northern Ontario. We are extremely grateful.” – Leon and Kathy Dumoulin, Owners, Dumoulin Trucking

“With all the challenges new projects face these days, we are grateful for the financial support we are receiving from the Ontario government and the NOHFC, as it will allow our company to expand, modernize and be at the forefront of the mining supply and services industry.” – Marc Caron, President, Caron Equipment Inc.

“Thanks to the Ontario government’s contribution to our project, we were able to venture into the recycling market with a new trailer to haul scrap metal. This market is new growth for our company. NOHFC funding also provided the opportunity to upgrade and expand our ore hauling fleet of trucks and trailers.” – Joel Vachon, Owner, Joel Vachon Trucking

“Thanks to the assistance of the Ontario government through the NOHFC, Millson Design Solutions was able to bring new technology and services to Northeastern Ontario. This support allowed us to get off to a strong start, leading to a successful first year in business.” – Ben Millson, Owner, Millson Design Solutions

Media Contacts

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

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