Source: The Standard
A network connecting Niagara manufacturers and a pair of individual firms has received a combined $6.5 million in federal funding to help them invest in modern technologies.
On Wednesday, Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey and St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle were at Niagara College’s Welland campus for the funding announcement on behalf of MP Filomena Tassi, minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).
Niagara College-led network Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI) received $4 million. The network comprising 11 post-secondary institutions across southern Ontario pool resources and expertise to match schools with the needs of companies to find innovative solutions to their manufacturing challenges.
The funding will help develop the sector with an emphasis on clean growth through programming that supports commercialization, scaling of firms and fostering innovation solutions.
The program is expected to support as many as 90 businesses; create 45 products, services or processes; and create or license 100 new intellectual properties.
In a release from FedDev, Niagara College president Sean Kennedy said the school is proud the network has become a key resource for advanced manufacturing applied and that it’s poised to do more with the funding.
“With this new investment, we will further leverage the regional ecosystem to bring robust technical and industry leadership, equipment, expertise and solutions to manufacturers across southern Ontario, and give students valuable real-world job experience to help them succeed in their future careers,” he said.
Also announced was $1.5 million for CMI Heavy Industries, which in St. Catharines manufactures heavy fabricated, forged and cast machined components and assemblies. The funding will help the company obtain advanced manufacturing equipment to increase production capacity and automate operations.
As well, FedDev granted $1 million to Black Creek Metal, a more than 100-year-old company that specializes in designing and manufacturing custom metal and structural steel for building frameworks. The funds will help it expand its second facility in Thorold with new equipment and adopting new technologies that will increase efficiencies.