EARLTON – The Ontario government is providing more than $2.4 million through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to 12 economic development projects in the Cochrane and Timiskaming Districts. This investment will improve municipal infrastructure, expand company operations and create jobs in the Northeast.

“Supporting communites and businesses with targeted investments through the NOHFC unlocks local economic development opportunities, creates employment, and keeps the region strong and competitive,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development. “Our government is helping companies and communities thrive, and providing real opportunities for the people who live, work, play and do business in Northeastern Ontario.”

The NOHFC is funding the following projects:

• $500,000 for Bingham Memorial Hospital – located in Matheson – to replace a seasonal gazebo and deck with an accessible all-season sunroom and outdoor space
• $400,000 for Lynch Ag Ltd. – a potato farm located in Evanturel – to build a storage facility and purchase equipment
• $371,000 for W. Lafrance Logging Ltd. – a forest harvesting company located in Englehart – to purchase equipment
• $267,353 for Haileybury Curling Club – a not-for-profit curling club located in Haileybury – to install LED lighting, replace the chiller system, renovate the kitchen and make the washrooms accessible
• $203,989 for the Town of Kapuskasing to replace the roof of the Kapuskasing Welcome Centre Building
• $200,000 for OCW Metal Works Inc. to establish a custom metal fabrication business located in Sturgeon Falls
• $200,000 for What The Flock Acres to establish a lamb farm located in Kenabeek
• $170,050 for 2778232 Ontario Inc. to establish an HVAC and refrigeration services business located in Kirkland Lake
• $43,113 for Cote’s Pole Lines Inc. – a utility services company located in New Liskeard – to purchase equipment
• $29,851 for Kemp Elliott & Blair LLP – a public accounting firm located in New Liskeard – to convert storage space into office space and purchase equipment
• $26,000 for Wight Sheep Farm – a lamb farm located in Belle Vallee – to build a new shelter, update existing barns and purchase equipment
• $16,425 for Jackpine Snowmobile Club – a not-for-profit snowmobile club operating out of Iroquois Falls – to purchase equipment and install signage along the 170-kilometre trail network.

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 $685 million in 5,656 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $2.3 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 9,000 jobs.

Quick Fact

• 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 Community Enhancement Program builds strong and resilient northern communities through targeted investments in critical infrastructure.

• The NOHFC’s Invest North Program boosts economic growth and attracts more investment by supporting business development, expansion and innovation.

Quotes

“Providing the utmost quality care and support is our highest priority at the Bingham Memorial Hospital,” said Alanna Mack, Director of Care, Rosedale Centre, Bingham Memorial Hospital. “Creating an ambiance and promoting a healthy living environment provides opportunities to thrive. The financial support provided by the province has allowed our dream for this space to become a reality. Thank you for investing in our community and our residents.”

“Lynch Ag Ltd. was started in 2020 as a seed potato farming operation in the Timiskaming Region,” said Paul Lynch, Owner, Lynch Ag Ltd. “Since our startup, we have been able to build a storage facility and grow our employee base, enabling our business to expand. We thank the NOHFC for their support in the startup and expansion of our business in Northern Ontario.”

“W. Lafrance Logging Ltd. has been in business for the past 32 years,” said Wayne Lafrance, President, W. Lafrance Logging Ltd. “We would like to thank the Ontario government for supporting our efforts on continued growth within our industry.”

“Thanks to the much needed support from the NOHFC, the future of our curling club and community facility will be ensured,” said Shawn Hearn, President, Haileybury Curling Club. “The extensive renovations will allow us to continue to provide recreational and social events in our community for many years to come.”

“Like many northern municipalities, our facilities are central hubs for community services and activities,” said Dave Plourde, Mayor, Town of Kapuskasing. “The support of our provincial government helps us maintain our buildings so we can continue to offer public spaces, services and programs to citizens and visitors alike, while promoting a healthy and diversified community.”

“What The Flock Acres would like to thank the Ontario government through the NOHFC for helping us start our first generation farm to produce high quality lamb for the ever-growing Canadian lamb market,” said Ryan Klapwyk, Owner, What The Flock Acres. “We have used the funds to purchase machinery and build infrastructure which will help us to grow to a 500 ewe flock producer over time.”

“The Ontario government grant allowed us to expand our business and offer more employment in our community,” said Stacy Utas, Owner, Cote’s Pole Lines Inc. “We are thankful we got to work with the NOHFC team and appreciate the support.”

“Kemp Elliott & Blair LLP had no choice but to expand with the added demand of accounting assistance during and post pandemic to help small businesses in the North with funding applications and subsidy requests,” said Danielle Girard, Partner, Kemp Elliott & Blair LLP. “The funding provided by NOHFC allowed us to create additional workspaces and upgrade our IT infrastructure to hire additional staff to help meet the demands.”

“Wight Sheep Farm was able to build a new tarp barn with this grant to allow for more sheep and lambs to be raised in comfort on the farm,” said Jenna Wight, Manager, Wight Sheep Farm. “This will allow for future generations to keep expanding our sheep flock and supporting business in the North.”

“The generous contribution from the NOHFC ensures that the Jackpine Snowmobile Club can keep its trails safely groomed and open, supporting our community and providing a vital link in the 30,000-kilometre trail system that runs from southern Ontario to Hearst,” said Tony Prophet, President, Jackpine Snowmobile Club. “The efforts of the club help attract tourists worldwide to our northern towns. The support we have received from the Ontario government is invaluable to our continued success.”

Media Contacts

Curtis Lindsay, Minister’s Office — 437-240-7317 — curtis.lindsay@ontario.ca

Media Desk, Communications Branch — mediadesk.ndm@ontario.ca