Government of Ontario : Supporting Job Growth and Business Expansion in Kenora

Government Supporting Job Growth and Business Expansion in Kenora

Ontario making NOHFC programs open to broader range of businesses and workers

KENORA - Today, Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, announced Ontario is investing $194,926 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) in a steel manufacturing facility, creating four full-time jobs.

Atlantic Industries Ltd. is a national, family-owned business that manufactures steel pipes, retaining walls, bridges and sound walls. This investment has helped establish a new manufacturing facility in Kenora.

'Our government is proud to support economic development and job growth in Kenora,' said Minister Rickford. 'We are building strong, vibrant communities across Northern Ontario together and creating real opportunities for the people who live here and the companies that want to invest. This investment sends a signal to the world that Northern Ontario is open for business and open for jobs.'

'We are grateful for the NOHFC and Minister Rickford's support of our expansion into Northern Ontario,' said Jason Sherwood, Vice-President of Operations, Atlantic Industries Ltd. 'Our Kenora facility positions us to meet the growing needs of customers across Northern Ontario. It is great to be welcomed into the community.'

The NOHFC promotes and supports economic development across Northern Ontario by providing financial assistance to projects - big and small, rural and urban - that stimulate growth, job creation and develop a skilled workforce.

The government is working to develop new NOHFC programs that will:

• make it easier for more people and businesses to apply
• support more projects in rural northern communities
• target both existing and emerging market opportunities
• provide more work opportunities for Indigenous people
• address the skilled labour shortage in the north.

'We have heard feedback from northerners who want NOHFC programs to be open to a broader range of businesses and workers so that the unique needs of Northern Ontario communities are met,' said Minister Rickford. 'Through these proposed changes, Ontario's government will continue to build strong and resilient communities while supporting an environment where businesses can thrive, grow and create good jobs.'

Promoting and stimulating economic development initiatives in Northern Ontario is part of the government's plan to build Ontario together. Ontario's balanced and prudent plan is creating more jobs and opportunities in the north and keeping more money in people's pockets.

• Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $147 million in 1,003 projects in Northern Ontario. This has leveraged more than $699 million in investment and created or retained over 3,000 jobs.