The Thunder Bay International Airport received federal cash Tuesday to help it expand its industrial park.
Minister of FedNor Tony Clement flew into the city to announcement more than $2.9 million in investments of infrastructure, small businesses development and innovation within the region.
The city’s airport will receive $1.5 million of that $2.9 million to help it expand its industrial park.
Scott McFadden, president and chief executive officer for the Thunder Bay International Airport Authority, said the funding will open up another couple of lots for airside accessible development.
The total cost for the project is about $3.3 million with the airport pitching in about a third.
McFadden said it was crucial the airport received the funding in order to make the project happen.
“Ten years ago, we anticipated the capacity we created would last at least 10 years but we’re basically full on the north side,” he said.
“It’s definitely a disincentive for development if you can’t say the basic infrastructure is already in place. It’s a bit of a speculative investment, although, we’re fairly confident that it will pay off. It’s good that the airport doesn’t have to use all of its own cash for something that will create downstream economic benefits.”
Clement also announced an investment of $739,000 for the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre. The centre will use the funding to establish an advanced manufacturing lab as well as an information and communications technology network.
Innovation centre manager Judy Sander said they had previously saw some gaps in both areas in terms of capacity and what was needed in the region. These projects will help address those gaps.
“We want to offer the community, existing businesses and new innovators the capacity to develop their prototypes, develop their products and do some small run niche manufacturing,” she said.
“We’re going to see a real shift in how manufacturing is done. It’s the value added, it’s the innovation versus just grinding out parts like what they would do in China.”
The lab will allow for developers to not only research products but also manufacturing them bringing a wealth of economic benefits to the city, she said.
Other innovation initiatives that received money included Qwan Technologies Inc., which received $180,000 and $500,000 to XLV Diagnostics Inc.
