An aircraft refurbishment company is among five recipients to share in $2.2 million in federal funding toward economic development projects in Muskoka.
FedNor announced the funds on March 13.
Muskoka Aircraft Refinishing Inc. is receiving the largest chunk of money — a $1,631,250 repayable loan — through the Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative.
Located at the Muskoka Airport, the company has been painting regional, private and corporate aircraft since 1995. Clients include Air Canada, WestJet, and Bombardier.
It's adding 10,000 square feet and raising the ceiling at its facility so that it can service larger aircraft. It's also purchasing new equipment, including a new compressor and electrostatic spray paint guns.
Sawdust City Brewing Company Inc. will receive a $503,549 repayable loan through the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation fund.
Based in Gravenhurst, the craft brewery has been making beer since 2014.
The brewery will use the money to purchase its existing canning line with a faster, more efficient system, which will produce a higher quality, more consistent product.
Finally, two tourism initiatives will benefit from the Northern Ontario Development Program.
Muskoka Arts & Crafts Inc. will receive a repayable $40,500 loan to hire an intern for a one-year period to help with marketing efforts, while the cultural festival Muskoka Chautauqua will receive a non-repayable investment of $35,000 to hire its own youth intern for one year.
