Minister Goodyear announces job creating investments in St. Thomas area
businesses

ST. THOMAS, ON, Feb. 8 /CNW/ - Three small- and medium-sized businesses in the St. Thomas area will be expanding their operations and upgrading technology, thanks to an Economic Action Plan investment of more than $650,000 . The Honourable Gary Goodyear , Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), made the announcement this morning at Reaction Distributing Inc. in St. Thomas.

"By investing in this industry-rich community, we are helping to strengthen the economy and give local businesses the resources they need to grow," said Minister Goodyear. "This is another example of our government's commitment, through our Economic Action Plan, to create jobs and support the people, communities and businesses of southern Ontario."

"This funding will have a direct impact on local businesses and residents, with the creation of a total of 12 new jobs," said Joe Preston , MP for Elgin-Middlesex-London. I'm pleased our contribution will boost economic activity and attract investment for the St. Thomas area."

FedDev Ontario is providing a repayable contribution of $397,936 to Reaction Distributing Inc., a leading manufacturer of solid waste handling equipment for the waste handling and recycling industries. With this contribution, the company will upgrade and modernize the plant, equipment and systems; provide training for existing staff; and develop additional export markets including the United States and Mexico . Implementing this project will result in the creation of six full-time jobs at Reaction Distributing Inc. For a list of all projects announced today, please refer to the backgrounder.

"This funding approval is great news as it will allow us to improve our competitive edge in the marketplace, while offering superior technological solutions to our clients," said Larry Vine , President of Reaction Distributing. "Investing in training and technology upgrades allows us to maintain a leadership position in our market."

These projects are among more than 60 that the Government of Canada intends to support through the Southern Ontario Development Program.

For additional details on this 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 also 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
    

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 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 program 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' SMART
       Program; and
    -  $1.6 million for the Ontario Chamber of Commerce's Export Market
       Access Program

    The following are contributions to companies in the St. Thomas area:

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    Funding Recipient          Project Title              Federal Commitment
                                                               (up to)
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    GCW Custom Kitchens Inc.   Purchase of New Machinery       $170,578
                               to Increase Efficiency and
                               Productivity
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    Reaction Distributing Inc. Modernization of Plant and      $397,936
                               Equipment with Related      (over two years)
                               Staff Training
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    Zimmer Air Services Inc.   Leasehold Improvements and       $85,251
                               the Acquisition of New
                               Equipment
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    Total                                                      $653,765
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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, please contact: Gary Toft, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, [phone]; Media Relations, FedDev Ontario, [phone]