SAULT STE. MARIE – The Ontario government is providing more than $189,000 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to three companies in Sault Ste. Marie. This investment is creating employment, and expanding and modernizing business operations.

“Today’s investments will help create real opportunities through new highly skilled, good-paying jobs here in Sault Ste. Marie,” said Ross Romano, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie. “This funding will contribute to our local, regional and provincial economies and is a great example of our community being an important part of the integrated supply chain in the industrial manufacturing sector.”

The NOHFC is funding the following projects:

• $104,135 for Superior Environmental & Mechanical Services Inc. – a septic system and industrial cleaning services company – to purchase equipment and renovate its facility

• $66,586 for Soo Foundry & Machine Ltd. – a machining, fabrication and mechanical services company – to purchase equipment

• $18,332 for Atlas Auto Parts – an automotive parts supplier – to purchase equipment and renovate its facility.

“Supporting local businesses as they expand creates jobs, keeps the North competitive and current, and attracts new investment,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development. “Our provincial government’s investments are helping businesses thrive, leading to economic prosperity in our communities and providing real opportunities for northerners.”

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 Facts

• 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

“NOHFC’s support in the purchase of capital equipment allows Northern Ontario companies to compete in a globally competitive market. Soo Foundry & Machine has seen significant growth in renewable energy services with the help of NOHFC funding.” – Robert Cohen, President, Soo Foundry & Machine Ltd.

Media Contacts

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

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