$6.5 million going to Niagara’s manufacturing sector

The Canadian government plans to invest $6.5 million in three projects that it says will support southern Ontario’s manufacturing sector. 

Yesterday, Filomena Tassi, the minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), appeared alongside other Niagara-area MPs at Niagara College to announce the funding. 

Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey said $4 million will be allocated for the Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI), a Niagara College-led network made up of 11 post-secondary institutions that pool their resources to help schools provide innovative solutions to manufacturers looking to confront various challenges. 

A FedDev release says the investment will support SONAMI as it continues to bring technical and industry leadership, equipment, expertise and solutions to participating manufacturers across southern Ontario with a focus on clean growth. 

SONAMI will also involve students in projects with participating companies, the government says. 

FedDev says the program is expected to support up to 90 businesses, create 45 new products, services or processes, and create or license 100 new intellectual properties.

Badawey also announced that $1.5 million will go to CMI Heavy Industries to increase production capacity and automate operations with new equipment, and $1 million will go to Black Creek Metal to expand its facility in Thorold.

“On behalf of Niagara College, we’re grateful to FedDev Ontario for their continued investment in SONAMI. We are proud to have become a key resource for advanced manufacturing applied research in southern Ontario,” said Niagara College President Sean Kennedy in a statement. 

“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. This investment will enhance our focus on clean growth outcomes, ensuring sustainable and innovative advancements in the manufacturing sector.”