Ontario government invests in London-area businesses to drive local economic growth

The Ontario government is supporting five London-area manufacturers with an investment of $6 million. Offering support through the Regional Development Program, the province aims at strengthening domestic manufacturing and agri-food production. This support will help the companies create 134 jobs and retain 133 positions.

“Through the Regional Development Program, our government is making targeted investments in local manufacturers to help them create good, local jobs,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “These projects are making a significant impact in communities and economies across London and Southwestern Ontario by helping to secure private-sector investments to create conditions for long-term economic growth and build an economy that makes Ontario the best place in the world to do business, work and raise a family.”

Attica Manufacturing is investing over $5.3 million to acquire new capital equipment and modify its production facility in London. This will support market diversification and the commercialization of new products. The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund is offering investment support of $531,000, helping the company purchase and install new CNC machinery, welding and welding position equipment and lifting magnets. This project will improve the company’s efficiency and capacity, while also helping to create 15 new jobs and retain 48 existing positions. Attica manufactures complex machined parts, providing services to customers that include: prototype and production machining; conventional and CNC machining; assembly, welding and fabrication; and engineering and mechanical design.

Algonquin Bridge is investing over $3.5 million to make plant improvements and robotics purchases that will help them produce made-in-Canada products. These products include compatible bridge products and optimized modular panel bridges. The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund is investing $525,000 in the project, helping the company create 10 new jobs and retain 29 existing positions in Thorndale. Algonquin Bridge designs and manufactures steel bridges.

Arva Industries is investing more than $2.1 million to expand its St. Thomas plant and purchase equipment for the engineering design and build of 12 hybrid rail-bound crane cars for New York City Transit. The province is offering $312,000 through the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund. This will improve the company’s efficiency and help in meeting delivery dates. This project is expected to create six new jobs and retain 49 existing positions.

Shogun Maitake is investing more than $31.2 million to build a new production facility in Thames Centre, which will process Maitake mushrooms for the agri-pharm and bio-pharmaceutical industries. With $4.5 million from the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, the company will purchase new processing equipment. The investment will help create 60 new jobs and retain two positions.

Planet Shrimp, a brand of RAS Technologies, is investing around $1.1 million in new processing equipment at its Aylmer facility. With $163,000 from the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, RAS Technologies will create 43 new jobs and retain five existing positions.

“The Elgin-Middlesex-London region is home to a world-class manufacturing sector that represents a critical component of the provincial economy,” said Jeff Yurek, MPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London. “I am very pleased to see the continued innovation and growth these businesses are bringing to our community as we prepare for a strong economic recovery.”