KITCHENER, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb. 13, 2015) - FedDev Ontario Minister Gary Goodyear and local Members of Parliament recently toured manufacturers and innovative businesses in southern Ontario to announce investments to help the region's economy and to meet with stakeholders.

The Minister and local MPs announced nearly $3 million for four projects from York Region to Kitchener that will help grow businesses and create local jobs. This included nearly $1 million for manufacturer Gum Products International to expand its line of food safety products, and $600,000 for Kitchener start-up Mapped In Inc. to expand sales of its unique indoor mapping technology that helps visitors navigate a venue. Click here for a list of investments.

Minister Goodyear and local MPs also visited companies such as Palcam Technologies, a precision component manufacturer in Newmarket that has nearly doubled its workforce since 2013, as well as Thalmic Labs, a successful technology start-up in Kitchener whose wearable armband, Myo, is in high demand. The Myo armband reads the electrical activity in a user's muscles and the motion of their forearm to let them control electronic devices with hand gestures.

The Minister and local MPs also participated in four roundtables with stakeholders to hear feedback on a variety of topics and to outline FedDev Ontario funding initiatives. Topics for two of the roundtables included advanced manufacturing and disruptive technologies, which can lead to high-value jobs and transform business operations. The other two roundtables were with representatives from not-for-profit organizations and from start-up companies to discuss how these very different types of organizations are contributing to growing jobs and communities in southern Ontario.

Helping businesses grow and compete globally is part of FedDev Ontario's mandate to develop a strong and diversified southern Ontario economy.

Quick Facts

• The four FedDev Ontario contributions announced in February 2015 total up to $2,720,000.
• Since April 2014, FedDev Ontario has announced nearly $93 million for 47 projects through its new programming launched as a result of Economic Action Plan 2013. Funding recipients anticipate creating more than 5,100 full-time jobs during these projects.
• Since its creation in August 2009, FedDev Ontario has invested more than $1.2 billion, resulting in partnerships with more than 5,300 organizations and more than $1.5 billion in additional leveraged investments from almost exclusively non-government sources.
• Since 2009, FedDev Ontario has contributed almost $350 million to more than 2,100 manufacturing projects, both directly and through partner organizations, which has leveraged an additional $1.371 billion.
• Businesses and communities in southern Ontario can benefit from FedDev Ontario programs and services, as well as Government of Canada initiatives, such as tax reductions, the elimination of unnecessary regulatory burdens, the Canada Job Grant, and the Small Business Job Credit.

Quotes

"Southern Ontario is a driving force in the Canadian economy and our Government is committed to helping regional businesses and communities thrive. This will create and keep jobs in the region and bring made-in-Ontario innovations to market, leading to long-term prosperity."

• Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for FedDev Ontario

Related Product

Backgrounder: FedDev Ontario Invests in Southern Ontario Economy

Associated Links

FedDev Ontario funding programs

CME SMART Advanced Technologies for Global Growth

Achieving Innovation and Manufacturing Excellence (AIME) Global initiative

Toll Free: 1-866-593-5505

Website: www.FedDevOntario.gc.ca

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