Ontario spending of $1,046,154 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) will support two manufacturing operations in Thunder Bay.
The funding will help Miller Precast and Pay-Ford Steel expand their manufacturing capabilities while creating five new full-time positions and retaining one existing full- time position.
Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan, says Miller Precast will receive $1 million to expand its product line and contribute to more construction projects across the region.
“This funding will create four full-time positions and bolster the company to provide a local source of hollow core slabs for housing and infrastructure projects in Thunder Bay and
Northwestern Ontario,” Holland told The Chronicle-Journal.
“It will also reduce shipping charges and lower construction costs.”
Pay-Ford Steel will receive $46,154 for increased production capacity. It will also enable the company to bid on more complex and specialized projects and help reduce its backlog. The funding will create one full-time position and retain one existing full-time position.
Holland said this portion of funding is part of a larger $3.4-million investment announced by the province to support 12 projects at manufacturing companies across the North and help create nearly 80 jobs.
George Pirie, minister of Northern economic development and growth, called Northern Ontario’s manufacturing sector a vital part of the province’s economy.
“In the face of economic uncertainty, our government is taking action to protect manufacturing businesses and support the production of Ontario-made products,” Pirie said. “This funding will help businesses grow and bring great opportunities to the region, including new jobs.”
The province is prioritizing NOHFC investments that protect Northern industries and jobs and mitigate the impacts of U.S. tariffs and trade disruptions. It aims to secure new opportunities for the long-term prosperity of Northern Ontario.
Pirie said there is a new provincial focus on boosting competitiveness and ensuring the North remains a leader in Ontario’s economy. This new direction brings the NOHFC’s annual budget to $110 million.
