SAULT STE. MARIE – The Ontario government is providing more than $112,000 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to SK Group Inc. in Sault Ste. Marie to support business expansion and development. This investment will help create jobs, increase operational capacity and boost economic growth in the north.
“SK Group has been serving our community for more that 30 years. I am pleased to announce that NOHFC has provided $112, 672 in funding for the purchase of equipment that will help expand their business and create new full-time positions,” said Ross Romano, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie.
SK Group Inc. is a manufacturing company specializing in promotional branding solutions, with products and services including imprintable wearables and printing for signs, banners and decals. The company will use NOHFC funding of $112,672 to purchase a new direct-to-garment (DTG) printer that will enhance production capabilities, decrease production timelines and keep up with increased demand.
“The funding received from the NOHFC has allowed us to expand our apparel decoration offerings to include an exciting new technology known as direct-to-garment printing that allows us to print full colour images on apparel while significantly reducing our environmental impact. DTG printing uses water based inks and eliminates the waste by-products of traditionally screen-printed and heat-pressed vinyl graphics,” said Sherry Berlinghoff, SK Group Inc., President. “DTG printing will shorten our turnaround times, provide greater design flexibility and an eco-friendly alternative for apparel printing.”
“Supporting local businesses as they expand and innovate helps create jobs, keeps the north competitive and attracts new investment,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development. “NOHFC funding is helping bring in new equipment and technology to northern Ontario, leading to economic diversification and creating new employment opportunities in Sault Ste. Marie.”
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
- 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.
The NOHFC’s Invest North Program boosts economic growth and attracts more investment by supporting business development, expansion and innovation.
Media Contacts
Erika Robson, Minister’s Office — 416-450-1309 — erika.robson@ontario.ca
Media Desk, Communications Branch — mediadesk.ndm@ontario.ca
