Twelve manufacturing companies in the north will benefit from more than $3.4 million in Ontario government financing. The money is coming from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation to create 80 jobs, purchase equipment, upgrade facilities and expand operations, the province said in a news release Thursday. “Northern Ontario’s manufacturing sector is robust, resilient and a vital part of the province’s economy,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. Sudbury-based Jennmar Canada Ltd. is getting $400,000. “The funds have been instrumental in the upcoming completion of an 8,934-square-foot addition that will allow us to bring in new machines and product lines going forward and increase our sales base,” said Marty Desjardins, Jennmar’s general manager. R.F. Contracting Inc. in Sault Ste. Marie is receiving more than $379,000. “This allows R.F. Contracting to accelerate investments in equipment, technology and operational capabilities that strengthen our ability to safely and efficiently execute increasingly complex industrial and commercial projects,” said Adam Carpenter, president of R.F. Contracting. Andy’s Trailers & Manufacturing Inc. in Timmins gets more than $319,000. “It enables us to continue manufacturing and growing our product line of loggers, gravel pups, low beds and other specialized trailers,” said owner Andy Larochelle. The province said that in the last eight years, NOHFC has invested more than $1.1 billion in more than 8,900 projects in northern Ontario, creating or sustaining more than 13,850 jobs.
