The Government of Canada Invests in Jobs and Growth in Belleville

BELLEVILLE, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 24, 2012) - Daryl Kramp, Member of Parliament for Prince Edward-Hastings, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), announced an investment of up to $1.5 million for Vantage Foods that has attracted new jobs to Belleville and will contribute to long-term growth in the community.

"Our government is pleased to invest in projects that are bringing new economic opportunities to Belleville and other communities across southern Ontario," said MP Kramp. "This investment is another example of how our government is standing behind our manufacturing sector, to create high-value jobs and contribute to growth across our region."

Thanks to an investment of up to $1.5 million through the Prosperity Initiative, Vantage Foods has opened its first processing facility in Ontario, which will produce packaged fresh meat ready to be put directly into the meat case for the Eastern Canadian market. Vantage Foods worked with Loyalist College to hire and train its new 150 workers.

"The support that we received from Feddev Ontario's Prosperity Initiative has helped us establish a presence in Ontario and introduce the latest technologies in processing and food safety. We are thrilled to have created 150 new jobs for area families, and look forward to long term growth and expanding markets for our Belleville operation," Rob Dettlinger, VP Canadian Operations East.

For more information on Vantage Foods, visit www.vantagefoods.net.

The investment announced today supports the Government of Canada's science, technology and innovation agenda, which is focused on increasing the country's productivity, creating jobs and growing the economy.

FedDev Ontario's Prosperity Initiative is designed to encourage businesses, not-for-profit organizations and post-secondary institutions in southern Ontario to undertake projects that will result in a more productive, diversified and competitive economy. Applications for funding are being accepted and assessed on an ongoing basis. For more information, please refer to the Program Guidelines available on the FedDev Ontario website at www.feddevontario.gc.ca.

Created in 2009, FedDev Ontario supports the southern Ontario economy by building on the region's strengths and creating opportunities for jobs and economic growth. The Agency has launched a number of initiatives to create a Southern Ontario Advantage and place the region in a strong position to compete in the global economy. These initiatives are designed to encourage partnerships and support projects that help the region's businesses and communities become more competitive, innovative and diversified. To learn more, please visit www.feddevontario.gc.ca or call 1-866-593-5505.