THUNDER BAY – The Ontario government is providing more than $2.8 million through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to 16 business expansion and development projects in Thunder Bay. This investment will increase operational capacity and boost the local economy.

“Our government is proud to make targeted investments in projects that drive economic development and growth in Thunder Bay,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development. “By working hand-in-hand with our northern partners, we are creating meaningful career opportunities that contribute to stronger, more vibrant communities.”



The NOHFC is funding the following projects:

• $400,000 for KBM Resources Group to purchase light detection and ranging (LiDAR) equipment and aircraft to expand operations in remote sensing and field and technical services; $240,916 to purchase information and communications technology to expand geophysical survey services across the energy and utilities, forestry, mining and road infrastructure sectors; and $64,620 for flight training equipment to start offering flight training services that will help fill a growing need for professional development opportunities for commercial pilots in Northwestern Ontario.
• $387,000 for Mileage Auto Plus – a full-service vehicle repair and maintenance facility specializing in commercial vehicles in the telecommunications and hydro expansion in Northwestern Ontario – to increase capacity to service larger and more vehicles
• $292,232 for EvergreenRx KB Inc. to expand its building footprint at its Kakabeka Falls pharmacy to have enough space for administering immunizations, blood pressure kiosks and additional computer workstations and to meet new ventilation and other standards set by the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA)
• $282,500 for Harris Timber to purchase a new processor that will increase business capacity by allowing the company to cut to length instead of only tree-length wood
• $246,200 for Loch Lomond Equipment Sales Limited – a company specializing in equipment for ice road construction – to build additional workshop and storage space to expand operations supporting winter roads important for transporting supplies to Indigenous communities not accessible by road in the spring, summer and fall
• $210,544 for C&M Tile and Granites to enhance production capacity and introduce new and advanced digital production equipment into manufacturing granite, marble and quartz products for the home improvement and construction industry with community resources and volunteers
• $200,000 for First Response Mental Health to develop the “Bridges Community Connection” system, a digital tool connecting long-term care residents and those requiring day-to-day personal care support
• $122,750 for Chinook Biochemical Inc. to develop and commercialize a mechanical ventilator unit that can treat patients in acute hypoxemic respiratory failure
• $121,000 for M. Morin Logging Inc. to purchase fuel-efficient equipment that will increase production and help save on fuel, maintenance and repair costs
• $111,000 for P&S Slashing – a logging contractor – to purchase equipment that will increase harvesting capacity in Northwestern Ontario
• $98,300 for Maintair Aviation Services Limited to purchase equipment to expand operations
• $29,201 for Balmoral Dental Designs Ltd. to expand its Thunder Bay facility to keep current with industry standards, reduce outsourcing costs and improve the overall efficiency
• $18,540 for CSL Environmental Geotechnical Ltd. to invest in survey equipment and information and communications technology to fulfill larger jobs and enhance service delivery
• $11,500 for Makkinga Logging Ltd. to purchase a grapple skidder to create additional harvesting capacity.

“I am committed to advocating for investments that drive economic development and growth in Thunder Bay,” said Kevin Holland, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Northern Development and MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan. “By working hand-in-hand with our northern partners, we are focused on cultivating strong, vibrant communities and providing real opportunities for the hardworking individuals who are integral to the economic progress of Northern Ontario.”

“We are giving our partners in the North the support they need to expand their businesses, diversify the local economy, and create lasting jobs,” said Minister Rickford.

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 $639 million in 5,265 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $2 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 8,420 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.

Quotes

“KBM has grown and evolved over the past 10 years to become a significant supplier of aviation, geomatics and field services in Northern Ontario and across North America. NOHFC’s assistance has provided KBM with the confidence to make key capital investments and the ability to attract highly skilled workers.” – Ian Gillies, Principal of Flight Operations, KBM Resources Group

“With support from the Province of Ontario, CSL Environmental & Geotechnical Ltd. has expanded to provide the growing mining and construction sectors with critical engineering services, creating six permanent jobs right here in the North and providing us the opportunity to work with the latest technology.” Chris Perusse, President – CSL Environmental & Geotechnical Ltd.

“Support from the Province of Ontario has allowed Loch Lomond Equipment Sales to build operational efficiencies and expand our facilities in line with our market growth. With the NOHFC’s assistance, we have increased our production capacity and will have created four new local jobs.” Wendy Stevenson, General Manager – Loch Lomond Equipment Sales

Media Contacts

Erika Robson, Minister’s Office — 416-450-1309 — erika.robson@ontario.ca

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