Two Thunder Bay companies are sharing $513,701 in federal funding to grow their manufacturing and bio-remediation companies.
Venshore Mechanical will receive $368,201 to upgrade their shop with new equipment including a metalworking brake and shear, and a plasma table. The equipment will enable the manufacturing company to produce AMSE-certified, precision-fabricated tanks, pressure vessels, and plate.
The company is the largest multi-trade industrial mechanical contractor and pipe fabricator in northwestern Ontario, providing mechanical services to various sectors, including pulp and paper, mining, energy, and transportation.
“These FedNor funds will allow us to build on and expand our fabrication services to include plate rolling and forming as well as pressure vessel manufacturing,” John Jurcik, president of Venshore Mechanical, said in a Feb. 9 news release.
“Venshore Mechanical is well-respected throughout northwestern Ontario as the premier industrial multi-trade contractor, and with the addition of our plate equipment work to our fabrication facility, we can offer a complete package in house and build on our reputation for excellence, safety, and timeliness. We look forward to continuing to work with our industry partners across Canada.”
BioNorth Solutions will use its portion, $145,000, to buy new equipment — such as a large-scale centrifuge and bioreactors — for its innovative product line, which encourages plant growth and helps remediate contaminated properties.
SEE: BioNorth Solutions greening the environment in more ways than one
The company specializes in environmental remediation and plant growth promotion. Its products enable on-site treatment, avoiding transportation of contaminated soils to distant landfill sites, which results in simplified clean-up efforts and cost savings.
“At BioNorth Solutions, we work to address environmental contamination problems with innovative and effective technologies and products,” Amber Kivisto, president of BioNorth Solutions, said in the release.
“We are proud to partner with FedNor and the Government of Canada to ensure that our communities are healthy and safe. We are passionate about improving and promoting plant and soil health, and being science-driven means efficient methods and natural results.”
Together, the funding is expected to help create 17 jobs, expand six jobs to full-time status, and maintain 29 jobs.
The funding announced comes through FedNor's Regional Growth Through Innovation Fund (REGI), which supports the growth of Northern Ontario businesses, their expansion into new markets, and their adoption of new technologies and processes.
