ELLIOT LAKE — The Ontario government is investing $375,712 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to support the renovation of the Elliot Lake Emergency Food Bank and development of the City of Elliot Lake’s Fox Drive Industrial Park. As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario, this funding is building a stronger, healthier and self-reliant community by connecting vulnerable residents in Elliot Lake and the surrounding area to a new, modern food bank downtown, and helping the city develop industrial land to attract investment, larger employers and good-paying jobs to Elliot Lake.
“Our government is protecting Ontario communities by making strategic investments to deliver better services that ensure people can access the support they need close to home, and building stronger and more self-sufficient local economies that attract businesses that create good-paying jobs.” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “The Fox Drive Industrial Park will make it easy for businesses to set up shop in the North and send an important message that economic and employment opportunities in Northern Ontario will continue to grow, even amidst economic uncertainty.”
The Elliot Lake Emergency Food Bank, a charitable not-for-profit, is receiving $218,212 to refurbish its new downtown facility and purchase equipment such as fridges, freezers, shelving and a generator. Once complete, the project will reduce maintenance and operational costs and enable better food distribution from an easily accessible downtown location to serve the region’s vulnerable residents.
“The NOHFC’s investment in our new location is an important step forward to our long-term financial sustainability and will only improve our ability to provide service to the community for years to come,” said Len Kutchaw, President, Elliot Lake Emergency Food Bank.
The NOHFC is also providing $157,500 to the City of Elliot Lake to install a lift station and for electrical and engineering work and additional water and sewer lines on nearly two hectares of land at Fox Drive Industrial Park. The industrial park will become home to several new businesses and employers, supporting further economic growth, creating jobs and driving prosperity in the region.
“As with many remote Northern Ontario municipalities, attracting commercial investment into the community is a challenge,” said Andrew Wannan, Mayor, City of Elliot Lake. “With the help of the NOHFC and the generous financial support of our Fox Drive Servicing Project, we were able to service an area of commercial land that will now allow for the development of industrial lots. This development will bring investment dollars and jobs into the community. On behalf of the City of Elliot Lake, we would like to extend our gratitude to the NOHFC.”
“Congratulations to the City of Elliot Lake for this funding from the NOHFC,” said Bill Rosenberg, MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin. “This funding has been granted to expand and service these non-serviced lots allowing doors to open for economic development, job creation and long-term community growth. On behalf of the provincial government, we hope this support will assist the residents of Elliot Lake with new commercial opportunities.”
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, securing new opportunities 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 $905 million in 7,309 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $2.8 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 11,210 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.
Media Contact
Sam McCormick, Minister’s Office Media Desk, Communications Branch
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