FEDNOR Funding in the North

Funding is being introduced into the North for economic development, business growth, and innovation. The Federal Economic Development Imitative for Northern Ontario is investing almost 2.5-million-dollars into Kapuskasing and Northern Businesses. North Claybelt, The Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, Wahgoshig First Nation, and Constance Lake First Nation will benefit from the funding. 

• Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters: $1,098,951
  A FedNor investment of $1,098,951 will enable the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) to undertake activities to assist Northern Ontario manufacturers to improve their productivity and competitiveness. As part of the project, CME will deliver the Operational Assessment component of FedNor’s Targeted Manufacturing Initiative for Northern Ontario (TMINO). Through CME, manufacturers can receive up to $15,000 to conduct assessments related to productivity, quality, lean manufacturing, information systems, human resources, management systems, and market analysis. In addition, CME will deliver a series of webinars, face-to-face workshops, and research and identify ways to grow manufacturing in Northern Ontario.

• Wahgoshig First Nation: $1,000,000
  To help strengthen, grow and diversify the local economy, a FedNor investment of $1 million will enable Wahgoshig First Nation to increase capacity for commercial and economic development at the community-owned multi-use facility and business centre. The project will result in the addition of 24,700 square feet to the centre to accommodate business opportunities including a new business centre, an expanded confectionery, new restaurant, a conference/meeting centre, office rental space for resource companies and an internet café.

• North Claybelt Community Futures Development Corporation: $256,000
  FedNor is providing the North Claybelt Community Futures Development Corporation with $256,000 to coordinate the training and meeting needs of the Northeast Development Network for a two-year period. Servicing 16 Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs), the Network provides services to a wide geographic area spanning as far south as Parry Sound, stretching north to the James Bay Coast, east to the Quebec border and west to the eastern shores of Lake Superior. The organization works to raise awareness of the CFDC program in the region, promotes the interests of communities in rural Northeast Ontario and coordinates professional development opportunities for its members.

• Constance Lake First Nation: $63,000
  To help Constance Lake First Nation capitalize on mining opportunities in the region, FedNor is providing the community with $63,000 to hire a youth intern for a two-year period to coordinate activities related to the Albany Graphite Steering Committee. The intern will work to raise awareness of the mineral sector within the community, coordinate the assessment of education and skills training needs for mining jobs, identify potential suppliers and service providers along with service gaps, strengthen and increase regional partnerships and collaborations among stakeholders, and enhance community leadership and involvement in the region.