Southern Ontario Spotlight - February 2021

Since its launch in May 2020, the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) has been a vital lifeline for a growing number of southern Ontario businesses and sectors impacted by the economic disruption associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, the Government of Canada announced an extension of the program as well as an expansion of RRRF liquidity support available to new applicants and existing recipients.

Highlights include an increase in conditionally repayable loans from $40,000 to $60,000, including an available top-up option for existing recipients to increase their loan to the maximum total amount of $60,000. In addition, unconditionally repayable RRRF funding may now support fixed operating costs incurred during the pandemic (to a maximum of $1 million), and organizations such as chambers of commerce, business sector associations and other economic development organizations that provide support to businesses are now eligible to apply for the RRRF for non-repayable loans.

For more information, visit FedDev Ontario’s RRRF page.

As we work to combat COVID-19, it is critical that we remain at the cutting-edge of healthcare in order to offer the best possible care and innovations to patients, while supporting our economy.

Southern Ontario is home to a robust and diversified healthcare sector, and the City of Kingston is poised to stand among the leaders in life sciences innovation with its top-tier post-secondary institutions and growing number of innovative digital health technology companies. A recently-announced FedDev Ontario investment of $3 million is helping to bring together a number of the region’s most notable education and healthcare institutions to establish a heath innovation ecosystem in Kingston. The partners will work toward a common goal of improved R&D capabilities and new advisory and scale-up support services for SMEs and entrepreneurs looking to commercialize heath innovations. The project is expected to create 100 skilled jobs and support the growth and development of 37 SMEs.

Other health sector news:

FedDev Ontario has invested $500,000 for Kitchener-based medical technology company Cloud DX to upgrade the technology and expand the reach of its Connected Health platform, a remote monitoring solution for hospitals and medical clinics.

An innovative, resilient and competitive agriculture and agri-food sector is essential to the health and prosperity of Canadians, and timely support for key sectors is critical to Canada’s recovery and long-term growth. With its robust agri-tech and agri-food ecosystem, the London region is a key contributor to Ontario’s food security and economic stability.

FedDev Ontario recently announced a $7.2-million investment in the Western Fair Association (WFA), a not-for-profit agricultural society that supports the ongoing development of the agricultural industry and promotes its values to the urban community. The project, a collaboration between the WFA and local educational institutions and business accelerators, aims to accelerate the growth of agri-food companies in the region by expanding the range of supports available to food entrepreneurs and high-potential agri-food companies at The Grove, the WFA’s business hub for agriculture and food entrepreneurs. It will provide local agri-food businesses at different stages of growth with access to new equipment, seed funding and mentorship.

The WFA and its partners expect to create 550 new jobs and maintain 100 more, and support the development and growth of 40 SMEs. For more information, visit the WFA’s website.

The Government of Canada continues to take action to support a wide range of sectors across southern Ontario to recover from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and become more productive, competitive and resilient for the future. Advanced manufacturing is an integral part of southern Ontario’s economy and a major source of quality jobs across the province.

FedDev Ontario recently provided  Kawartha Controls with a $1.13-million repayable contribution to increase production and add new jobs in the rural community of Omemee. Kawartha Controls supplies the construction, farming and power generation industries with hydraulic manifolds, and this funding will allow the company to set up a new machining cell and improve its innovative A.I.-driven “smart factory,” resulting in a 300 percent increase in output and adding six new jobs.

Read the pivotal project profiles below to find about more about key FedDev Ontario investments in the manufacturing sector.

Molded Precision Components (MPC), an automotive parts manufacturer, pivoted its operations to produce Shield-U protective face shields for frontline workers, and a $2.9-million investment from FedDev Ontario allowed the firm to implement cutting-edge molding systems to quickly double its output.

Melitron Corporation, a Guelph-based manufacturer of digital signage for the restaurant industry, received a repayable contribution of $2.1 million enabling the acquisition and installation of advanced manufacturing equipment to meet rapidly growing market demands.