As Guelph continues to move out of the pandemic, the provincial government is investing over $2 million in projects that will help further innovate parts of its manufacturing sector.
On Tuesday, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli, announced three local domestic manufacturing and chemical processing businesses will receive a combined $2.6 million through the South Western Development Fund, part of the Regional Development Program.
The funding will be going toward three projects within the community that the province said will help to attract local investment, while retaining 370 jobs and creating 45 new ones.
"We've really seen what's been happening through COVID and a big part of our budget in 2021 was to protect to work in Ontario, but also to protect workplaces and jobs," said Fedeli, “Today's announcement is a testament to protecting the future, plus the Ontario government's commitment to the future as well.”
The first project is from a family-owned Walinga Inc., which is receiving $1.125 million to support a $7.5 million investment in the company. This funding will support the expansion of their facility and help them purchase new equipment, enabling production of two new agricultural products called the milinator and the barge unloader.
Prior to the announcement, Fedeli took a tour of the facility and spoke with Walinga staff about their work. He called the company, "a real excellent example of the Ontario spirit."
"These products are bringing dollars to Ontario from halfway around the world," said Fedeli, noting Walinga Inc. ships products to Mexico, Australia and the United States.
Butch Medemblik, the CEO of Walinga Inc., explains this is the second time the company has partnered with the SWDF to help overcome challenges as a Canadian manufacturer.
"We're invested in Ontario, in Guelph, in Fergus," said Medemblik, "We're invested in building our business here, growing our market and growing our staff."
Receiving $750,000 is PDI Bulk, which will be using the funding to invest in specialized equipment, enter a new segment of the chemical processing sector and introduce a new process to blend frozen chemicals, which will go to polymer, chemical and food sectors.
The final project is from Newton Group which is receiving $800,000 to expand its Guelph facility by 40,000 square feet and set up a new production line. New advanced manufacturing equipment, including robotics, will also be purchased to help the company increase productivity and stay competitive.
Started in November 2019, the Regional Development Program aims to invest more than $100 million until 2023 to support priorities and challenges in communities across southwestern and eastern Ontario by providing cost-shared funding to businesses, attracting investment, diversifying their economies and help plan for long-term sustainability and growth.
“We have confidence in Ontario manufacturing, we believe in Ontario manufacturing,” said Fedeli, “We know that with a bit of little assistance from the province, they can do much bigger expansions."
