by John Hill
Cobourg’s newest industry, Canada Candy Company Inc., was officially opened on April 5. Joining the company’s Director of Operations, Tom Copping and other plant officials for the ribbon-cutting ceremony were Cobourg Mayor Gil Brocanier, Northumberland-Quinte West MPP Lou Rinaldi, the Hon. Jeff Leal, Minister responsible for Small Business and the Hon. Steven Del Duca, Minister of Economic Development and Growth.
The fully-automated state-of-the-art manufacturer occupies space in Cobourg’s Northam Industrial park. The facility has been retrofitted to manufacture and package gummy candies. It is the first in North America to offer peanut-free, kosher and halal products.
The Province of Ontario kicked in about $1.3 million from the Eastern Ontario Development Fund, slightly less than 10% of the investment required to have top-of-the-line equipment installed. The factory presently provides 29 full-time jobs and a second shift is in the planning stages.
