Funding will address growing infrastructure needs to support local businesses

RED LAKE — The Ontario government is investing $500,000 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to help the Municipality of Red Lake provide essential services, such as water and sewer, to support the rapid growth of an industrial park. As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario, the NOHFC is making strategic investments to build stronger, healthier and more self-reliant northern communities by investing in infrastructure and services that will benefit residents and support local businesses with the tools they need to grow, become more competitive and create jobs in their communities.

“Over the last decade, Red Lake has experienced significant growth and is a vital hub for providing necessary goods to the local community, the mining industry and Indigenous communities,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “Today’s investment will help build the necessary infrastructure to expand a key industrial park and reaffirms the government’s commitment to support a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant northern economy.”

The Municipality of Red Lake will use the NOHFC funding to install new sanitary sewer infrastructure and a new watermain, and to complete roadway and grading work, including reconstruction of driveways and fencing. This project will bring water and sewer services to new and existing lots in the industrial park, supporting current and future tenants, and enhance the industrial park’s capacity to meet future needs.

“We are grateful for the support from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, which is enabling the engineering and design work needed to accommodate future growth,” said Fred Mota, Mayor of Red Lake. “This investment will strengthen our community, support local industry and enhance Red Lake’s role as a vital supply hub for our neighbouring First Nations communities and the region as a whole. We appreciate the province’s continued commitment to building strong, sustainable northern communities.”

The Ontario government is prioritizing investments through the NOHFC 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 investment of an additional $30 million over 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 $1 billion in over 8,000 projects in northern Ontario, leveraging more than $3 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 12,500 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.