By Cecilia Nasmith
Following Monday's announcement of support for a Welcome apiary business, Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Kim Rudd this week announced two more Rural Innovation Initiative Eastern Ontario grants through the Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation.
Rudd appeared at Graphic Packaging International in Cobourg on Thursday to announce a $50,000 investment, and at the Min-Tech company in Campbellford Friday to announce another $65,000.
This is in addition to the $65,000 announced Monday in support of the Dancing Bee Inc., which boasts an innovative extraction process that could potentially make it a top honey producer in Canada,
At Graphic Packaging, a leader in the design and manufacture of packaging for commercial food-service products, the grant will enable investment into supporting today's consumer-preference shift away from styrofoam and single-use containers into recyclable and compostable alternatives. This will position them to strengthen and diversify their product portfolio for a stronger position in terms of competing for growing market needs in both Canada and tbe US.
Min-Tech, which turns post-industrial plastic waste into new products, can now purchase state-of-the-art production technology to develop a new plywood alternative made from recycled plastic – a waterproof product that is more durable and long-lasting.
Funding for these investments by CFDC come through the RRIEO project made possible by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (also known as FedDev Ontario). Projects such as these are expected not only to support business expansions, the press release said, but also create up to 50 new full-time jobs throughout the county.
CFDC executive director Wendy Curtis offered kudos to the innovations that not only strengthen these businesses but do so in an environmentally positive manner.
Min-Tech president Dale McLellan shared his company's commitment to supporting the reduction of the carbon footprint through recycling post-industrial plastic scrap.
“This funding will allow us to introduce a brand-new product that will revolutionize the construction industry,” McLellan predicted.
