MainPlaceholderTop: <p>The City of Brantford Economic Development Advisory Committee and the Rotary Club of Brantford want the community to know about the positive things happening with industry and manufacturing in Brantford. The committee’s annual Industrial Appreciation event was held Friday, March 12, 2010, at the Brantford Golf and Country Club, and marks the second year in a row that the City of Brantford has partnered with the Rotary Club. To see the 2010 recipients click on the following document. </p> <p><a href="/News/LatestNewsReleases/Documents/IndustrialAppreciation.pdf" target="_blank">2010 Industrial Appreciation Event.pdf</a></p>

MainPlaceholderTop: <p>At the County of Brant Council meeting on April 6, 2010 a new Brant Economic Development Strategic Plan has been supported by the County. With the assistance of a grant from the Federal Southwest Community Adjustment Fund and other partners: Brant Federation of Agriculture, Brant Jobs and Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie, the County retained WCM Consulting to develop the plan and it has been a work-in-progress for nearly five months. It features key strategies to further develop Brant’s goals of job creation and prosperity.</p> <p>“This is an exciting time for Brant,” says Mayor Ron Eddy who has been in support of developing a plan since it was proposed in October. “This plan focuses on key areas for improvement as well as forging closer relationships with the private sector."</p> <p>Prior to the presentation of the plan, WCM sought input from various community stakeholders, fielded phone calls, emails and held a sessions to understand concerns and solicit ideas for the plan. “In many ways the work has just begun,” said Eric Rowen Manager of Economic Development &amp; Tourism for the County. “Now that we have established strategies, the key to success will be in the implementation of the recommendations”. </p> <p>The coming months will see Economic Development and Tourism staff create an implementation plan to move the recommendations from paper into action. It is anticipated that one of the first implemented recommendations will be the creation of a Brant Economic Development Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee will help forge a closer working relationship with the private sector towards achieving economic prosperity in Brant.</p>

MainPlaceholderTop: <h4>Pavaco Products Inc. to Receive Economic Action Plan Funding</h4> <p>May 14, 2010</p> <p>(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." </p> <p>"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."</p> <p>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.  </p> <p> </p> <h4>Over $400,000 In Funding to Maidstone Bakeries</h4> <p>February 9,2010</p> <p>(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.” </p> <p>                              <img alt="Maidstone Bakeries" src="/SiteCollectionImages/Maidstone.jpg" /></p>

MainPlaceholderTop: <p>Teksign Inc. has chosen Brantford as its new home after an exhaustive site selection process. The company is investing approximately $3 million to relocate their full-service sign manufacturing operation from Mississauga to 86 Plant Farm Blvd. this summer. </p> <p>The company was established in 1946 and quickly distinguished itself as a leader in on-premise corporate identification. They applied their expertise with plastics into pioneering the development of the backlit sign in 1948.   </p> <p>Looking back, Teksign is the name behind the name, credited with making brands like Esso, Petro-Canada, Hilton, CIBC, Chrysler, Mercedes and Midas uniformly recognizable across Canada. Today, Teksign is one of the best-known brands in the sign industry and has the unique distinction of having their products on every continent in the world.     </p> <p>Dan Mullin, President of Teksign Inc. states Brantford was chosen for its geographic location, excellent highway access, affordable property rates and qualified labour force. The presence of post secondary institutions like Laurier University, Nipissing University and Mohawk College were also positive contributing factors.     </p> <p>“The Brantford operation will be 36,000 square feet, somewhat smaller than what we’re leaving in Mississauga,” states Mullin. “However the overall design of the facility with its high ceilings, multiple cranes and other amenities allow for a significant improvement in the production process. We will be able to increase efficiencies and manufacture more product than we could previously.”   </p> <p>Teksign will employ 50 people when fully operational in Brantford at the end of July 2010. </p> <p>For more information, contact: </p> <p>Dan Mullin, President, Email: <a href="mailto:djmullin@teksign.com">djmullin@teksign.com</a></p>