A grant of $1.5 million from the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund will help fund the first phase of an ambitious expansion plan at the regional airport.

The cities’ contributions will bring the total funding for 10 projects to nearly $49 million.

The acquisition positions the English company for further North American growth after its 2019 purchase of eCompliance, and will enable ContractorCheck to diversify its operations.

More than $66 million worth of permits were recorded in the city in June, and the year-to-date totals remain comfortably ahead of the same period last year.

An investment of $3 million will open the door for 100,000 workers and job seekers to access virtual training for such safety modules as infection control, ladder safety and slips, trips and falls prevention.