Over $2.5 Million to Support Economic Development

Provincial funding will support municipal infrastructure upgrades, local business expansions, and the creation of good-paying jobs

 Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing, announced that the Ontario government is investing over $2,500,000 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) in eight economic development projects in Nipissing. As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario, the province is making strategic investments to strengthen the local economy, revitalize municipal infrastructure, create 25 new local job opportunities, and enhance business growth across key sectors, including mining supply and services, tourism, and manufacturing. 

“The Ontario government is proud to support a variety of projects in the Nipissing area through the NOHFC that will support economic growth and create jobs for the people who live here,” said MPP Vic Fedeli. “Today’s investments will help build infrastructure that will enable the expansion of local businesses, upgrade community assets, and enhance educational settings.”

Funding includes the following:

·       $895,593 for Corexplore Drilling Services Corporation, a diamond core drilling company in Callander that provides surface drilling services across northern Ontario, to establish a centralized headquarters that includes office space and a mechanical shop, purchase two new ultra-deep clean-tech drills, and invest in marketing to advertise its new deep diamond drilling services

·       $500,000 for Nipissing University in North Bay to construct an outdoor classroom and event space, which will be the first of its kind in northern Ontario and will provide a unique venue to engage in academic learning, student gatherings, cultural exchanges, and public events

·       $423,950 for the Capitol Centre to modernize its gallery and improve accessibility by converting one gallery space into two, increasing capacity for rentals, reconfiguring the basement, and updating the temperature and humidity controls to allow for the relocation of the permanent collection pieces

·       $216,750 for Designed Roofing Inc., a North Bay-based company that specializes in the design, manufacturing, and installation of commercial flat roofing and commercial cladding, to design and build a new cold storage building and purchase racking equipment that will provide additional manufacturing space and allow for expansion

·       $200,000 for MASHinery, an outdoor playground for adults in North Bay that will provide guests with the opportunity to operate construction equipment such as backhoes, excavators, and bulldozers on a recreational basis, to purchase heavy equipment machinery and operational equipment, as well as install a prefabricated building

·       $167,001 for the Municipality of Powassan to repair a wall and install a hands-free door at Glendale Hall, and to install an incline lift at the 250 Clark Community Hub to improve accessibility and allow both community facilities to host more activities and events that support the health and well-being of residents and visitors

·       $68,247 for Nova Stone Limited, a company in North Bay that specializes in the design, manufacturing, sale, and installation of custom stone and quartz products, to purchase a computer numerical control (CNC) contouring machine and a jib crane to increase its production capacity

·       $30,300 for Paroisse Ste. Bernadette in Bonfield to upgrade the Bonfield Hall community centre by purchasing two new furnaces, repairing three rooftop air conditioning units, replacing the countertop in the kitchen, re-flooring the entrances, stage area and washrooms and repairing damaged walls to ensure the centre continues to be a safe and attractive space for community events and activities

The Ontario government is committed to prioritizing investments through the NOHFC 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 enhancing competitiveness and ensuring the North remains a leader in Ontario’s economy. This new direction is in addition to the province’s $30 million investment over the next three years, bringing the NOHFC’s annual budget to $110 million. Together, these initiatives will benefit communities of all sizes, rural, urban, and 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 $1 billion in over 8,000 projects in northern Ontario, leveraging more than $3 billion in investments and creating or sustaining over 12,800 jobs.