A trio of mining service and supply providers in Timmins will be able to purchase new equipment and expand operations thanks to $700,000 in funding from the provincial government.
On Jan. 27, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp. announced the funds for three service providers in the area. The expansions are expected to create nine jobs.
The funds include:
- $593,482 for The Bucket Shop Inc. to build a new paint and blasting facility and purchase new equipment to take on larger projects;
- $96,443 for 360 Boring Services Inc. to purchase new equipment that will increase production and improve efficiency for its heavy equipment welding and fabrication services; and
- $13,344 for Fibre Fusion, a division of Con's Electric Co. Ltd., to purchase new equipment to expand its operations to include fibre-optic cable splicing, connections, and maintenance for the mining and telecom sectors.
"360 Boring Services is extremely grateful for funding agencies like NOHFC," said Joëlle Meloche, owner at 360 Boring Services Inc., in a Jan. 27 news release.
“Thanks to NOHFC, we were able to expand and develop our business at a faster rate than we would have been otherwise able to."
The provincial funding agency said it’s working on developing new NOHFC programs that:
- make it easier for more people and businesses to apply;
- support more projects in rural northern communities;
- target both existing and emerging market opportunities;
- provide more work opportunities for Indigenous people; and
- address the skilled labour shortage in the North.
"We have heard from northerners who want NOHFC programs to be open to a broader range of businesses and workers so that the unique needs of Northern Ontario communities are met," said Northern Development Minister Greg Rickford in the release.
"Through these proposed changes, Ontario's government will continue to build strong and resilient communities while supporting an environment where businesses can thrive, grow and create good jobs."
