Over $4 million is coming to nine agri-food projects in the North.
Officials say the investment, through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, will boost local food production, create jobs and stimulate expansion in the north.
Funded NOHFC projects include:
– $1,400,000 for Lactalis Canada Inc. to convert their Sudbury milk facility into a premium non-dairy, plant-based facility
– $945,506 for the Northern Ontario Farm Innovation Alliance to administer a tile drainage project in the Timiskaming–Cochrane District, spanning 1,888 acres and supporting 19 producers
– $535,800 for the Northeast Community Network to administer a tile drainage project in the Timiskaming–Cochrane District, spanning 893 acres and supporting nine producers
– $461,000 for Tulloch Agriculture Inc. to build two storage buildings and purchase equipment to expand operations to include cash cropping in Algoma–Manitoulin
– $400,000 for Sharpe Farm Supplies Ltd. and WM Sharpe Farms Ltd. to invest in a new 14,000-square-foot warehouse that will have an agri-centre and new grain dryers and grain bins to support crop storage services in Algoma–Manitoulin
– $174,684 for Lock City Dairies Inc. to expand their facility in Sault Ste. Marie to increase productivity, efficiency and storage capacity, and generate more sales and clients
– $81,000 for Peace Hill Farm in Sundridge to install a greenhouse and purchase equipment to establish commercial organic farming operations
– $67,967 for Pleasant Valley – an agricultural tourism start-up on Manitoulin Island – to build a safe and positive environment to provide education and connect people with animals and agriculture
– $56,520 for Old Rock Inc. – a specialty coffee roastery based in Sudbury – to purchase and install a new coffee roaster to respond to consumer demand and invest in building retrofits to accommodate the roaster and marketing costs
Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development, made the announcement on Sunday at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.
“Through targeted investments like the ones we are celebrating today, our government continues to strengthen the Northern agri-food industry that keeps our communities thriving,” said Minister Rickford. “The NOHFC was modernized by our government so more businesses and organizations can apply for the supports they need to diversify their offerings, expand their facilities, or take on projects like tile drainage to enhance their crop production in the North.”