Promoting Northern Ontario’s mining supply and beef farming was behind an $850,000 funding drop by FedNor into northeastern Ontario.
The successful Northern Ontario Mining Showcase will head back to the Metro Toronto Conference Centre next March buoyed by $535,000 from the federal development agency.
As the single largest pavilion at the annual PDAC (Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada) mining convention, the Temiskaming Shores-led regional showcase provides promotional space at the show for small and medium-sized mining suppliers to attend the world’s largest mining conference to display their wares and network with a global mining audience.
An estimated 100 companies and organizations are expected to register for the 2018 event, scheduled for March 4-7.
At PDAC last March, the showcase featured 92 businesses and organizations, which resulted in sales and exports from these firms valued at more than $8.5 million.
In a Sept. 14 news release, Temiskaming Shores Mayor Carman Kidd said his municipality is “proud to lead this important regional initiative” that opens the door for businesses to promote their products and services to mining executives from around the world.
The University of Guelph received $241,000 to study feed and pasture productivity at its New Liskeard beef research station and to develop marketing material and social media strategies to promote Northern Ontario beef products.
The Northern Ontario Farm Innovation Alliance (NOFIA) pocketed $76,100 projects that include developing a network of regional producer and chefs, to formulate recipes featuring local ingredients, to create bilingual promotional materials, and to help producers attend regional food festivals.
NOFIA is also working on a study to determine the viability of establishing a railway transload facility in the Temiskaming area to boost exports of agri-food products.
"High-quality agriculture and agri-food products are in high demand around the world and this timely announcement will help shine a spotlight on the very best Northern Ontario has to offer,” said NOFIA administrator Stephanie Vanthof.
"Northern Ontario has long been recognized for the quality and value of its agricultural and agri-food products,” said Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota.
“I am pleased that this FedNor investment will enable our farmers and producers to innovate and grow, access new markets, and increase their sales and exports."
