KENORA – The Ontario government is providing more than $87,000 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) for three job placement opportunities in Kenora. This investment will help businesses expand operations and grow Northern Ontario’s workforce.

“Through the NOHFC, our government continues to make targeted investments that provide on-the-job career development opportunities, while addressing skilled labour shortages by helping businesses harness local talent in the Northwest,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development and Member of Provincial Parliament for Kenora–Rainy River. “We are creating highly skilled, good-paying jobs that will boost economic growth and prosperity here in Kenora.”

Internship projects receiving NOHFC funding include:

• $35,000 for the Lake of the Woods Brewing Company Inc. to hire a Public Relations Manager to develop and implement a public relations strategy, and $28,405 to hire a Community Outreach and Events Coordinator, with responsibilities including events management, outreach and building strategic partnerships

• $23,920 for DJ Roach Electric Ltd. to hire an Electrician Apprentice to work in the construction and maintenance field, which includes planning, installing and repairing electrical systems

“The Lake of the Woods Brewing Company is excited to be in a position where we are growing and able to create new jobs and to hire for these new positions,” said Taras Manzie, President, Lake of the Woods Brewing Company. “The assistance from NOHFC to help us achieve this growth is invaluable.”

“Thank you for the opportunity and funding for our current apprenticeship intern,” said Dennis Roach, Owner, DJ Roach Electric Ltd. “The assistance has helped our business measurably.”

The Ontario government is supporting local internships through the NOHFC’s People and Talent Program. The program supports a wide variety of internships, including skilled trades, and addresses the unique needs of other in-demand jobs. Program candidates include new entrants into the workforce, those transitioning to a new career, the unemployed and underemployed.

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 $717 million in 5,875 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $2.3 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 9,264 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.

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Media Contacts

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

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