Ontario Investing More Than $2.5 Million to Support Economic Development in Nipissing Region

Provincial funding for eight projects will support municipal infrastructure upgrades, local business expansions and creation of good-paying jobs

April 10, 2026

NORTH BAY — The Ontario government is investing $2,501,841 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to support eight economic development projects in the Nipissing area. As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario, the province is making strategic investments to strengthen the local economy, revitalize municipal infrastructure, create new job opportunities and boost business growth across key sectors – including mining supply and services, tourism and manufacturing.

“Our government is taking decisive action to protect businesses and jobs across northern Ontario,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “By supporting communities like North Bay, Powassan, Callander and Bonfield, and the key industries they depend on, we are positioning the region to build a stronger, more resilient economy for the long term.”

The NOHFC is providing funding to the following projects:

$895,593 for Corexplore Drilling Services Corporation, a diamond core drilling company in Callander that provides surface drilling services across northern Ontario, to establish a centralized headquarters that includes office space and a mechanical shop, purchase two new ultra-deep clean-tech drills and invest in marketing to advertise its new deep diamond drilling services
$500,000 for Nipissing University in North Bay to construct an outdoor classroom and event space, which will be the first of its kind in northern Ontario and will provide a unique venue to engage in academic learning, student gatherings, cultural exchanges and public events
$423,950 for the North Bay Theatre and Arts Community Centre to modernize its gallery and improve accessibility by converting one gallery space into two, increasing capacity for rentals, reconfiguring the basement and updating the temperature and humidity controls to allow for the relocation of the permanent collection pieces
$216,750 for Designed Roofing Inc., a North Bay-based company that specializes in the design, manufacturing and installation of commercial flat roofing and commercial cladding, to design and build a new cold storage building and purchase racking equipment that will provide additional manufacturing space and allow for expansion
$200,000 for MASHinery, an outdoor playground for adults in North Bay that will provide guests with the opportunity to operate construction equipment such as backhoes, excavators and bulldozers on a recreational basis, to purchase heavy equipment machinery and operational equipment, as well as install a prefabricated building
$167,001 for the Municipality of Powassan to repair a wall and install a hands-free door at Glendale Hall, and to install an incline lift at the 250 Clark Community Hub to improve accessibility and allow both community facilities to host more activities and events that support the health and well-being of residents and visitors
$68,247 for Nova Stone Limited, a company in North Bay that specializes in the design, manufacturing, sale and installation of custom stone and quartz products, to purchase a computer numerical control (CNC) contouring machine and a jib crane to increase its production capacity
$30,300 for Paroisse Ste. Bernadette in Bonfield to upgrade the Bonfield Hall community centre by purchasing two new furnaces, repairing three rooftop air conditioning units, replacing the countertop in the kitchen, re-flooring the entrances, stage area and washrooms and repairing damaged walls to ensure the centre continues to be a safe and attractive space for community events and activities.

“The Ontario government is proud to support a variety of projects in the Nipissing area through the NOHFC that will support economic growth and create jobs for the people who live here,” said Member of Provincial Parliament for Nipissing, Vic Fedeli. “Today’s investments will help build infrastructure that will enable the expansion of local businesses, upgrade community assets, and enhance educational settings.”

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 12,800 jobs.

Quotes

“Special thanks to MPP Fedeli for NOHFC provincial funding to help construct our new head office located on Main Street in Callander. The new office and shop help manage, support, and expand our drilling operations in Canada and the USA. Funding was also used to purchase an ultra-deep diamond drill with support equipment. This new equipment was instrumental in Corexplore being awarded a specialized geotechnical pilot hole drill program to depths greater than 2,200 meters. This deep-hole project allows Corexplore to work for one of Canada’s premier mining companies and created 10 new full-time jobs.”

– David Jones, President, Corexplore

“Nipissing University is grateful to the Province for its support in bringing our new four‑season outdoor classroom and event space to life. This unique facility embraces our natural landscape and deepens the University’s commitment to relational, experiential, and Indigenous land‑based learning. It will offer students and community members a welcoming space to learn, connect and build relationships with one another and with the land year-round.”

– Dr. Kevin Wamsley, President and Vice-Chancellor, Nipissing University

“MASHinery was built to challenge the ordinary and turn hesitation into confidence. With the Province’s support, we are now able to bring that vision to life, giving guests the opportunity to unlock their inner operator, step into the driver’s seat and experience the power, precision, and confidence that comes with operating heavy equipment. This investment not only helps create a one-of-a-kind attraction but also strengthens tourism and economic development in our region.”

– Ken Sim, Owner, MASHinery

“The Municipality of Powassan would like to thank our friend MPP Fedeli and the provincial government for this generous funding. These funds will go towards some required structural repairs to the South Himsworth Glendale Hall in the Municipality of Powassan. This hall is a vital hub for our community. It’s the home of the Powassan Lions. It’s a venue for many local events, including the Municipality of Powassan’s Canada Day Celebration. The structural repairs that this funding will provide will ensure that many generations will continue to enjoy this facility.”

– Peter McIsaac, Mayor, Municipality of Powassan

“We are incredibly grateful to the NOHFC for the support we received for our expansion project. The investment was instrumental in enabling Designed Roofing to build a dedicated storage facility, allowing us to increase our capacity for taking on larger projects, invest in new technology and strengthen the local economy by creating and maintaining long-term job opportunities in North Bay.”

– Michael Valenti, President, Designed Roofing

“Thanks to NOHFC funding, this project will support long overdue improvements in the WKP Kennedy Gallery, along with exciting renovations that will increase visitor access and enhance exposure for artists. The Capitol Centre is eager to continue strengthening the visual arts within our community and we are truly grateful for this support.”

– Katina Connolly, Executive Director, Capitol Centre

“We are very excited and extremely grateful to receive the contribution from the NOHFC program. This grant allowed us to pull the trigger on our capital investment. Without that boost, it would not have happened. We can now produce products faster and provide more jobs within our company. This is an amazing program, thank you.”

– Robert Gorecki, Owner, Nova Stone

“The community is very proud of how the project improved the asset/infrastructure of the hall. We now have a beautiful painted kitchen with new countertops that is the envy of everyone. People will love and enjoy renting the hall seeing how it has been renovated and beautified. We will also benefit with the two new propane furnaces. Heating cost will be lower, and they will be more effective. All the flooring is now completed in the washroom and stage area. The painting brings such brightness and cleanliness to the hall. The three air conditioners are now functioning properly with the maintenance given to them. We will now be able to enjoy a nice cool hall during the summer months. We are very proud of the outcome. It was a positive special development for our community hall. Thank you to the Heritage fund, the sponsors, the volunteers for making this possible.”

– Darlene Hotte, Secretary for the hall committee, Paroisse Ste. Bernadette

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.