Northern Ontario’s mining supply and services sector is getting a boost from a provincial investment of $666,644 in support of the Ontario’s North EconomicDevelopment Corporation’s (ONEDC) export assistance program.
With support from the province’s Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, the Mining Supply and Services Export Assistance Program (MSSEA) is helping northern businesses increase their client base outside of the North by expanding their export development initiatives.
ONEDC is moving into Phase 2 of the program, which includes helping mining supply and services companies conduct marketing, undergo skills development training and prepare mentorship forums to help promote business development in other markets.
“Our investments are growing northern companies and further diversifying our economy,” Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci said in a news release. “Supporting these northern entrepreneurs as they build their businesses is a vital component in the long term prosperity of Greater Sudbury and Northern Ontario.”
“In working with one of two international advisers, both with decades of experience selling mining products and services to global mining clients, the Mining Supply and Services Export Assistance Program helps companies put in place the required steps and make the necessary decisions to ensure their success in developing export markets for their goods and services,” Scott Rennie, project manager, Mining Supply and Services Export Assistance Program, said in the release.
“The MSSEA program is truly a pan-northern effort designed to assist mining supply and services companies across Northern Ontario seek assistance with their export initiatives. With this renewed funding, ONEDC will be able to assist more companies advance their export agenda and provide further opportunity for companies to participate who are not necessarily located in one of the five, largest Northern Ontario municipalities,” said Ian Wood, Sudbury’s director of economic development and ONEDC chair.
“I am very pleased that with this NOHFC investment we will help mining supply and service companies market their expertise globally,” Bartolucci said.
ONEDC is a partnership of the municipal economic development corporations of the cities of North Bay, Timmins, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay. ONEDC’s mandate is to create, promote and implement initiatives to advance the economy of Northern Ontario and its major cities.
