The Ontario government, through its Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), is contributing more than $2.2 million to help five companies in the Parry Sound area expand their manufacturing operations.

The funding, which was announced on September 22, will help to create as many as 38 jobs in the region, and boost local economic development.

“I am excited to announce these investments in our local manufacturing sector,” said Parry Sounds-Muskoka MPP Norm Miller. “It is great to see manufacturing companies commit to our local communities. These businesses create the stable, well-paying, year-round jobs that sustain our towns and villages throughout the Parry Sound district.”

Lofthouse Manufacturing – a forging and machining company in Burk’s Falls – will receive $1 million to enlarge its toolroom, purchase equipment and automate part of its manufacturing process. The project will create eight full-time jobs.

Aluminum boat manufacturer Connor Industries will receive $918,550 to renovate its facility, construct two new buildings and purchase equipment. The project will create 12 full-time jobs.

RJW Enterprises – a solid-surface fabricator in Seguin – will collect $113,968 to renovate its facility and purchase equipment. The project will create six full-time jobs.

Burk’s Falls-based masonry and landscaping products manufacturer Patternstone will receive $16,614 to renovate its facility and purchase equipment. The project will create two full-time jobs.

Finally, Wave Fibre Mill will receive $200,000 to establish a full-scale fibre processing mill in Seguin. The mill will use locally sourced raw materials to produce fabrics such as yarn, felt and roving. The project will create five part-time and five full-time jobs.

"Lofthouse is a Northern Ontario success story, we are thankful for the funding opportunities presented by the Ontario government and for the continued efforts of all of our employees in putting this funding to good use,” said company president Darwin Dunn. “This funding is part of a strategic plan to be the most technically advanced forging and machining manufacturer in North America.”

The NOHFC provides financial assistance to projects that stimulate recovery, growth, job creation and skills development.

Since June 2018, NOHFC has invested more than $369 million in 3,551 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $1.3 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 5,300 jobs.

Featured image: RJW Enterprises will use funding from NOHFC to renovate its Seguin, Ontario facility and purchase equipment. (RJW Enterprises)