Putting Sudbury, North ‘on the map’ – by Mary Katherine Keown (Sudbury Star – May 26, 2016)

http://www.thesudburystar.com/

Sudbury’s export community got a nearly $2 million shot in the arm on Wednesday afternoon.

Navdeep Bains, Canada’s federal minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and the minister responsible for FedNor, stopped by B&D Manufacturing, on Municipal Road 15 in Chelmsford, to announce $952,100 in funding for the Northern Ontario Exports Program (NOEP).

That amount will be matched by the provincial government for a total contribution of about $1.9 million. “This particular investment is designed to boost the value of exports and improve the capacity of northern Ontario firms,” Bains said. “This targeted investment will support ongoing delivery of the Northern Ontario Exports Program for a two-year period.”

The Ontario North Economic Development Corporation (ONEDC) will lead the charge for businesses in Timmins, North Bay, Thunder Bay, Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie. It will provide business support, training and marketing for northern firms, “allowing them to be more competitive in new markets,” Bains added.

Since 2014, NOEP has supported 67 northern firms, creating and maintaining hundreds of jobs in the region. Bains said the government hopes to build on the successes of the past.

“Creating jobs and opportunities for the people and businesses of Greater Sudbury and all of Northern Ontario are key priorities for our government and this targeted investment delivers on all fronts,” Sudbury MP Paul Lefebvre said. “This priority project is an important part of a strategy that will help us achieve our broader objective of building stronger, more diversified local, regional and national economies that work for all Canadians.”

Sudbury MPP Glenn Thibeault attended Wednesday’s announcement to throw provincial support behind the export initiative.

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