Ontario's Green Energy Hub

September 17, 2010

Today, two boats cruising on the Grand River from the shores of Caledonia, Ontario were the backdrop for a historically significant announcement. The Honourable Brad Duguid, Minister of Energy, was the honoured guest at the event announcing the communities of Brantford, Brant, Haldimand, Norfolk and Six Nations of the Grand River are joining together to become Ontario’s Green Energy Hub. MPP’s Dave Levac and Toby Barrett as well as Phil McColeman, MP, joined 100 invited guests for the announcement.

Ontario’s Green Energy Hub is an initiative being led by the Chamber of Commerce Brantford Brant that will be a regionally shared, specifically targeted, marketing and economic development strategy that will act as the development organization attracting foreign direct investment to the region. Acting regionally will allow the entire area to develop a focused approach to business attraction, one that leans on the strengths of the entire partnership. “As a strong advocate for designating our region as a Green Energy Hub from day one, I want to congratulate all the partners for working together to make today's announcement possible. As I've said over and over again....when we play in the sandbox together, anything is possible", said MPP Dave Levac. "From the very first moment the Green Energy Act was passed, I knew that collectively as a region we had what was needed to take advantage of the business potential of the new green economy. Today we are saying to the business world that we are open for business and that our region is the place to invest...we are leaders in taking the step of turning our region into a Green Energy Hub." The Chamber of Commerce Brantford Brant is happy to have taken the lead on this project that has seen multiple community partners working together toward a common goal.  “We strongly believe that with the natural advantages our region provides, combined with a strong coordinated regionally driven marketing strategy along with the implementation of an effective business plan, we can succeed. The potential for jobs, investment, assessment, educational opportunities and the resulting prosperity is profound” said Barry English, President of the Chamber of Commerce Brantford Brant. Mayor Mike Hancock of Brantford, Mayor Ron Eddy of Brant, Mayor Dennis Travale of Norfolk, Mayor MarieTrainer of Haldimand and Chief William Montour of Six Nations of the Grand River have formed the “Ontario Green Energy Hub Leadership Roundtable” which will be the governing body that moves the project forward.

For more information contact:

Charlene Nicholson, CEO Chamber of Commerce Brantford Brant, 519-753-2617.

Pavaco Products Inc. to Receive Economic Action Plan Funding

May 14, 2010

(Brantford, Ontario) Phil McColeman, MP for Brant, announced today $375,000 in federal funding for Pavaco Products Inc. The investment is being made through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) and will help the company with expansion plans. Our government continues to recognize the importance of investing in small to medium sized businesses like Pavaco Products," said McColeman. "By investing in our manufacturing sector, we are creating jobs and providing opportunities for economic growth."

"Without this government funding, we would have had to postpone our project," said Jacques Nadeau, General Manager of Pavaco Products. "It is a tight financial market and because of the industry that we’re in, it has been very difficult to borrow money."

Pavaco Products Inc. is a manufacturing facility that recycles post industrial ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) scrap. The company plans to install a new plastic compounding line, creating 12 jobs over the next eighteen months.The project will be funded through the Community Adjustment Fund, a two-year, $1-billion national program aimed at addressing the short-term economic needs of communities hit hardest by the global economic recession. The approved project must meet the terms and conditions set out in the contribution agreement. 

Over $400,000 In Funding to Maidstone Bakeries

February 9,2010

(Brantford, Ontario)  Maidstone Bakeries Incorporated of Brantford is receiving over $400,000 in Rural Economic Development Initiatives (REDI) funding. The funding will allow for product expansion including the installation of a permanent on-site wastewater treatment system, commercialization of a new product line, improved materials handling/production efficiencies through the implementation of specific operations management software. “This grant confirms Maidstone Bakeries commitment to expand operations in Brantford, bringing with it new jobs and protecting existing ones,” Brant MPP Dave Levac said. “This confirms that Brantford is an ideal place to expanded existing operations or for new business to set up shop in a business friendly environment.”