August 7, 2025

Investment will help Supercom Industries expand operations and manufacture more components used in the rail industry

THUNDER BAY — The Ontario government is investing $195,946 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to help Supercom Industries, an Indigenous manufacturing company, expand operations in Thunder Bay. As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario, the province is making investments that create jobs and support economic and community development in the North.

“Our government is making strategic investments to support northern businesses like Supercom Industries so they can create good-paying jobs, boost the local economy and strengthen the manufacturing sector in Northern Ontario,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “By increasing employment opportunities and fostering economic development and diversification across the North, our message to northern businesses is clear – during these uncertain times, we are protecting workers, companies and industries.”

Supercom Industries, a partnership of five First Nation communities located along the north shore of Lake Superior, is using NOHFC funding to add a building to its manufacturing site and purchase storage space, an enclosed trailer for transportation and product installation equipment. Once complete, the project will create a more efficient manufacturing process and expand production, sales, distribution and installation capacity to meet the growing demand for the company’s Spring Drains. These components are used by railway companies to address track degradation and reduce the risk of derailment on tracks that run over environmentally sensitive peatlands.

“This important funding will allow Supercom Industries to build on our growing success,” said Norm Jaehrling, Chairperson of Supercom Industries Board of Directors. “The support from the Province of Ontario represents a meaningful investment in Indigenous-led innovation and the continued growth of our business, while creating opportunities for future generations in our partner First Nations. We are proud to be strengthening local economies and delivering practical, made-in-North solutions to major infrastructure challenges in the rail sector.”

“Supercom Industries is a shining example of Indigenous-led innovation and economic development in Northwestern Ontario,” said Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay–Atikokan. “Our government’s investment through the NOHFC is not only supporting job creation and manufacturing growth—it’s helping build a stronger, more self-reliant North.”

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.