Minister Goodyear announces investment to create jobs in Guelph

GUELPH, ON, Feb. 5 /CNW/ - Melitron Corporation will streamline its manufacturing operations and increase productivity thanks to an Economic Action Plan investment of $400,000 . The Honourable Gary Goodyear , Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), made the announcement today at the company's headquarters in Guelph.

"This investment in Melitron will help the company become more competitive and expand their business," said Minister Goodyear. "Our government is committed to creating jobs and supporting the people, communities and businesses of southern Ontario."

Funding will come from the Southern Ontario Development Program (SODP) and will allow Melitron Corporation to increase productivity through the installation of new equipment and facility upgrades. Melitron will also be reconfiguring the layout of the plant in order to implement lean manufacturing process principles. This plant-wide upgrade will improve the company's competitiveness, providing immediate local economic stimulus and job creation.

"In addition to further streamlining our manufacturing process, we will be undertaking an energy savings initiative that will result in much reduced electricity, natural gas and water consumption," said Ted Turner , President of Melitron Corporation. "We expect our project will result in renewed business growth and job stability for our dedicated employees."

This project is among more than 60 projects the Government of Canada intends to support with a contribution of nearly $63 million through the SODP for 2009/2010.

For additional details on the Southern Ontario Development Program, please refer to the backgrounder, visit the FedDev Ontario web site at www.southernontario.gc.ca, or call 1-866-593-5505. For additional information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

This news release is available online at: www.southernontario.gc.ca and www.actionplan.gc.ca.

    
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                                    Backgrounder
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                 Southern Ontario Development Program (SODP)
    

Announced in Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) was established to deliver federal economic development programs to support the priorities of workers, businesses and communities in Southern Ontario. Budget 2009 allocated $1 billion over five years for the new Agency.

The Southern Ontario Development Program (SODP) was established as a core program of FedDev Ontario. It will build upon the assets and strengths of communities to create an environment where businesses can thrive and maximize southern Ontario's potential to succeed in the knowledge-based economy.

Funding under this program will go towards projects that can stimulate local economies and enhance the growth and competitiveness of local businesses and communities. Approximately $100 million has been allocated to the SODP in 2009-10, including the following:

    
    -  Nearly $63 million through a general intake process;
    -  $20 million through an intake for the food and beverage processing
       sector;
    -  $15.75 million for the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters' (CME)
       SMART Program to fund an estimated 300 projects that will help small-
       and medium-sized manufacturers increase their productivity and
       competitiveness in the global economy; and
    -  $1.6 million for the Ontario Chamber of Commerce's Export Market
       Access Program to help southern Ontario businesses that would like to
       increase their sales internationally.
    

For more information, please visit the FedDev Ontario website at www.southernontario.gc.ca or call 1-866-593-5505.

For further information: For media enquiries: Gary Toft, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, [phone]; Media Relations, FedDev Ontario, [phone]