News

Over $3.5 Million to Support Local Businesses

Strategic investments will help strengthen economic development in the region

NIPISSING – Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing announced that the Ontario government is providing $3,623,790 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) for nine projects in the mining, manufacturing, digital economy and forestry sectors in Nipissing. This investment will help support job creation, boost economic growth, and improve quality of life in Nipissing.

“By investing in projects from varied sectors, our government is promoting a more diverse economy and supporting job creation in Nipissing,” said Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing. “It’s one more way we are signaling to the world that Northern Ontario is open for business.”

The following funding is being delivered through the NOHFC:

• $1,132,558 to Miller Technology Inc. in North Bay to develop prototypes of the EV low-back grader to be used for underground mining, and to purchase new equipment to expand operations
• $803,957 to Janveaux Forest Products Ltd. in Mattawa to purchase new equipment to expand its operations
• $523,345 to Think On Inc. to expand its operation to create a Security Operations Centre in North Bay
• $353,040 to Driller’s Edge to help purchase automated equipment to update and modernize its operations
• $250,000 to Nordic Minesteel Technologies Inc. to develop a new tire handling tool to safely install and remove heavy haul truck tires
• $241,500 to Pneuma-Tools Inc. to test a series of new clean-tech, fully synthetic rock-drill oils for use in underground mining to increase production, and improve health and safety
• $158,855 to North Bay Machining Centre Inc. to purchase new equipment to expand its operations
• $50,035 to Boart Longyear Canada to build a prototype of a dual-tube drill rod that is lighter and performs better than existing drill rods
• $43,000 to Rejean Bedard Logging Ltd. in Mattawa to purchase new equipment and expand operations

“Miller Technology greatly appreciates all the assistance from the NOHFC, Ministers Vic Fedeli and Greg Rickford and the Ontario Government. This is a huge help in increasing our production capacity, export sales, research and development, as well as job creation in the North,” said J. Daniel Bachand, President of Miller Technology Incorporated.

“Janveaux Forest Products like all other Forestry Companies are facing many challenges in the Forestry Sector with a shortage of skilled workers, safety concerns, higher costs of operating and the ever-rising cost of acquiring new equipment. With the assistance of NOHFC we were able to sustain and create new, safer jobs and increase production by acquiring modern equipment. Looking forward to a brighter future.” – Denis Janveaux, Owner of Janveaux Forestry Products.

“With this funding, ThinkOn will build a world-class Security Operations Centre which will support economic growth and create high-quality tech jobs for the residents of North Bay. It is so encouraging to see the government supporting the home team in funding an Ontario tech company like ThinkOn.” – Craig McLellan, Founder and CEO, ThinkOn.

“Many thanks to the NOHFC team for funding assistance with the development of Pneuma-tool’s innovative, patented, industry leading no-fog rock drill oil.  We have been testing the environmentally responsible, safety-first rock drill oil in underground mines all over Northern Ontario and in Nevada, USA with excellent results. Strong industry acceptance of the rock drill oil is helping build our customer base not only in Canada, but with international miners as well.” – Bill Culhane, President of Pneuma-tool.

“With NOHFC’s help in financing the acquisition of a large bore lathe, North Bay Machining Centre has been able to secure work from 2 Quebec companies and provide 4 jobs in the process. Otherwise, this work would have stayed in Quebec.” – Luc Champagne, president of North Bay Machining Centre.

“NOHFC funding has helped NMT grow and diversify our business by offsetting a portion of the financial risks associated with designing and manufacturing innovative, and new products.  This growth has been accompanied by a change in our local employment needs as we have experienced increases in the areas of skilled trades and professionals which are needed to fulfil our sales growth both domestically and internationally.” –  Ronald Elliott, President and CEO of Nordic Minesteel Technologies.

“Boart Longyear has a long history in Northern Ontario with a strong legacy of innovation. Boart Longyear is pleased to be partnering with NOHFC once again, this time on the development of a new “dual-tube drill rod” as a critical component of a new and revolutionary drilling system development, which keeps our R&D engineers and technicians busy.” – Christopher L. Drenth, Engineering Director, Performance Tooling of Board Longyear Canada.

“Funding support from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation has allowed Di-Corp to significantly increase drill rod production capacity at our North Bay plant, positioning our company for anticipated growth in both domestic and international mineral exploration markets.”  – Di-Corp Management.

“Rejean Bedard Logging has been in business for over 34 years. We have had to adapt to changing demands, rules, regulations and the rising costs of doing business. This has been a challenge, but we have overcome it and we are thankful for the support from the Ontario government for helping us as we keep going.” Rejean Bedard, Owner, Rejean Bedard Logging.

The NOHFC promotes economic prosperity across Northern Ontario by providing financial assistance to projects—big and small, rural and urban—that stimulate growth, job creation and skills development. Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $559 million in 4,748 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $1.82 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 7,500 jobs.

Quick Facts

• In 2021, the Ontario government launched new and improved NOHFC programs that support more projects in rural northern communities and make it easier for more people and businesses to apply. The programs target existing and emerging markets, provide more work opportunities for Indigenous people and address the skilled labour shortage in the North.

Additional Resources

• The NOHFC, Northern Development Offices and Small Business Enterprise Centres are available to support northern communities, businesses and other stakeholders in identifying economic development opportunities and assist in accessing government funding programs.