FedNor announces $2.8 million in Muskoka funding, $1.15 million of it to Huntsville-based organizations

FedNor announced yesterday that it is injecting almost $2.8 million into projects in Muskoka and Almaguin, funding that is intended to “accelerate business, economic and industrial growth, while creating jobs and advancing technology, innovation and broadband services throughout the Muskoka region.”

The organizations receiving funding are:

• Parry Sound–Muskoka Community Network – $891,403 to support the organization’s ongoing operations for a three-year period, plus $499,000 to renew its successful BEAM program which provides eligible businesses with up to $4,000 to implement e-business solutions.
• Muskoka Millwrighting and Machining, Huntsville – a repayable investment of $696,105 through the Targeted Manufacturing Initiative for Northern Ontario (TMINO) to help it establish a new 26,000-square-foot facility featuring three large overhead cranes and an industrial painting booth. The expansion is expected to create 15 new full-time middle-class jobs.
• Algonquin Natural Stone, Huntsville – a $421,745 TMINO investment to expand its manufacturing facility from 6,000 to 16,000 square feet, and purchase and install new manufacturing equipment including a 25-ton overhead crane. The project will lead to a year-round production schedule and create five new full-time manufacturing jobs in the Town of Huntsville.
• Township of Strong – $193,766 to hire an economic development officer (EDO) for a three-year period.
• Muskoka North Good Food Co-op, Huntsville – $39,000 to enhance the marketing capacity of Northern agri-food markets and enable the organization to hire a youth intern for a one-year period.
• Muskoka Chautauqua – $31,500 to hire a youth intern for a one-year period.

The funding announced today highlights the important role the Parry Sound Muskoka Community Network plays in advancing innovation and helping organizations leverage new digital technologies. By supporting key economic sectors such as technology, manufacturing, economic development and youth, the Government of Canada is ensuring our region has access to the resources it needs to succeed here at home and around the world.
John Finley, Board Chair, Parry Sound Muskoka Community Network, in a FedNor release

Paul Lefebvre, Member of Parliament for Sudbury, made the announcement February 28 on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for FedNor. According to the release, once fully implemented, these projects will help local businesses increase sales and exports, while assisting to create or maintain more than 350 middle-class jobs and attracting more than $7.5 million in private sector investment to the region.

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