CORNWALL – Under the Eastern Ontario Development Program’s Collaborative Economic Development Projects stream, $500,000 was handed out to five area companies last week, with one South Dundas-based recipient among them.
Ross Video, a global company with 640 employees, does all of its manufacturing locally at its Iroquois facility which employs 210.
Jeff Poapst, senior vice president, manufacturing and services for Ross, said that this $100,000 has already been spent on a surface mount line at its Iroquois manufacturing facility.
This surface mount line, allowed 13 per cent growth in capacity at the Ross manufacturing site.
In thanking the CFDCs for the funding contributions Poapst said that Eastern Ontario companies can compete globally, very successfully, and he encouraged everyone with an idea to leverage the skills and resources available through the local an regional CFDCs that made this funding possible.
“Innovation is the key to economic progress,” said Stormont, Dundas Glengarry warden Jim Bancroft in congratulating Ross on its successful bid for funding.
“We’re in the midst of a rural renaissance here in Eastern Ontario,” said Wendy Curtis, executive director for the Northumberland CFDC. “We are making wise investments in innovation that will make Eastern Ontario a global competitor.”
The total investment of up to $500,000 from the EODP’s collaborative economic development projects stream will be matched by $1.9 million in incremental private investment. The total jobs created by the five companies receiving funds will be up to 85 full-time positions in Eastern Ontario.
This momentum aligns Eastern Ontario with the Government of Canada’s goal to make Canada a global centre for innovation.
Also receiving $100,000 funding contributions were Food Cycle Science, Xplornet Communications, MPIQC Inc, and Ottawa Aviation services.