July 25, 2025

Provincial investment will help create local jobs and expand custom boat manufacturing for fire, rescue and patrol services

PARRY SOUND — The Ontario government is investing $400,000 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to support the expansion of a custom boat building business. As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario, this funding is creating good-paying local jobs, boosting the local economy and strengthening the manufacturing sector in Parry Sound in the face of economic uncertainty from U.S. tariffs.

“Our government is proud to help one of Parry Sound’s largest employers bring more jobs to the community,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “During these uncertain times due to U.S. tariffs, we are protecting our workers, businesses and industries by supporting more employment opportunities and fostering economic development and diversification across the North.”

Connor Industries, known world-wide for its custom welded aluminum boats under the trademark name STANLEY®, is using NOHFC funding to renovate three of its buildings and purchase welding equipment. Once complete, the project will create a more efficient manufacturing process and expand production capacity to meet the growing demand for the company’s commercial vessels, which are used for fire, rescue and patrol services.

“The support from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation has been instrumental in advancing this critical phase of our expansion,” said Bill Connor, Owner, Connor Industries. “This investment allows us to increase production capacity, create high-skilled jobs and further strengthen Northern Ontario’s role in Canada’s marine manufacturing sector. We’re proud to build vessels that serve communities worldwide and across the country. This funding helps ensure we continue to innovate and grow right here in the North.”

“Our government continues to help our industries grow, especially in these unprecedented times,” said Graydon Smith, MPP for Parry Sound-Muskoka. “This expansion will help purchase new equipment and create new high-skilled jobs in Parry Sound so Connor Industries can meet the global demands for its products. Thank you to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation for investing in this project through the Invest North – Grow Program.”

Announced in June 2025, the Ontario government is refocusing the NOHFC to prioritize investments that protect northern industries and jobs, mitigate the impacts of U.S. tariffs and trade disruptions and secure new opportunities for the long-term prosperity of Northern Ontario. The renewed focus is boosting competitiveness and ensuring the North remains a leader in Ontario’s economy. This new direction is in addition to the province’s recently announced investment of an additional $30 million over the next three years, bringing the NOHFC’s annual budget to a total of $110 million. Together, these initiatives will benefit communities of all sizes, both rural and urban, including Indigenous communities.

Quick Facts

• Through its funding programs, the NOHFC offers support to public and private sector economic development projects across Northern Ontario.
• Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $939 million in 7,563 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $2.8 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 11,900 jobs.

Additional Resources

• The NOHFC, Northern Development Offices and Small Business Enterprise Centres support northern communities, businesses and other stakeholders in identifying economic development opportunities and government funding programs.