FUNDING FOR 10 ISLAND FIRMS FROM BC MANUFACTURING JOBS FUND

April 29, 2024

GRT Holdings Ltd. will receive up to $735,000 for a capital project to commission new equipment that will drive production and diversify the aggregate products recycled and distributed to the construction industry, while creating 6 jobs. @grtenv.com

VANCOUVER ISLAND – Six capital projects and four planning projects on Vancouver Island will receive up to $5 million in funding through the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund.

The companies are Ron Anderson & Sons Ltd. and Macon Industries Inc. of Chemainus and  GRT Holdings Ltd. and Rootside Provisions Ltd. of Nanaimo, Aquila Cedar Products and COTA Aviation Ltd. of Parksville, Canadian Cultured Dairy Inc. of Cumberland, Tiičma Management Services Limited Partnership of Campbell River, Atli Chip LP of Port McNeill and Ergo Eco Solutions Inc. of Mill Bay.

Ron Anderson & Sons Ltd. (RAS) is a wood-product manufacturer that builds and installs prefabricated wood-frame buildings for residential and commercial units. It will receive up to $2 million in funding for a project that will use automation and advanced manufacturing to diversify its products, including prefabricated floors, roof panels and stairs. RAS’s expansion to a new plant will create 35 full-time jobs.

“Ron Anderson & Sons is more than excited to be a recipient of the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund,” says Jack Downing, president and CEO. “By expanding and modernizing our facility in Chemainus, we are not only creating new local jobs, but increasing supply and accelerating installation of much-needed wood frame housing across B.C., efficiently and in a sustainable manner.”

GRT Holdings Ltd. operates a resource regeneration facility that takes waste and excess soils from construction projects and creates aggregate products required by the construction industry. It will receive up to $735,000 for a capital project to commission new equipment that will drive production and diversify the aggregate products recycled and distributed to the construction industry, while creating 6 jobs.

“Support from the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund enabled GRT to proceed with critical upgrades to our Resource Regeneration Facility where our Regenerock aggregate products are made using a sustainable, low-carbon process,” says CEO Peter Reid.

Aquila Cedar Products Ltd. is a wood products manufacturer servicing the construction industry with products, such as siding, fence panels and decking. It will be receiving up to $879,000 in funding to buy new equipment and retrofit its manufacturing site and will create 20 new jobs.

Canadian Cultured Dairy Inc. is a licensed dairy processor that produces yogurt products for retailers. It will receive up to $500,000 for a capital project to transition to a new dairy manufacturing facility and purchase automated equipment to increase production capacity while creating 9 jobs.

Macon Industries Inc. is a custom steel and aluminium manufacturer for the mining and forest sectors. It will receive up to $540,000 to establish a dedicated space for aluminium fabrication that will increase efficiency and product diversity through new equipment, while creating 10 jobs.

Rootside Provisions Ltd. is a winery, specializing in producing mead and apéritifs. It will receive up to $156,000 for a capital project to build a new manufacturing facility and upgrade equipment, resulting in tripling its production capacity and expanding distribution while creating 6 jobs.

COTA Aviation Ltd. is an Indigenous-owned company that provides design, maintenance and manufacturing to the aerospace and defence industries. It will receive up to $30,000 to create a project plan and shop floor assessment before investing in new, AI-based aircraft manufacturing equipment that will streamline operations.

Atli Chip LP processes wood chips and hog fuel for the pulp and paper industry. It will receive as much as $50,000 to complete a technical assessment to help determine costs and requirements for replacing aging onsite infrastructure and ensuring ongoing viability.

Tiičma Management Services Limited Partnership is the economic development arm of Kyuquot and Checleseht First Nation. Tiičma is receiving up to $50,000 for operational and technical assessments required for a potential capital project that will construct an electric boat manufacturing facility.

Ergo Eco Solutions Inc. is a recycling business that will receive up to $36,750 for planning activities to develop a manufacturing business line.

Business Examiner Staff

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