GreenCentre Canada to support local businesses thanks to provincial grant
GreenCentre Canada, a local not-for-profit organization that helps companies transform their chemistry-based ideas into sustainable commercial products and processes, has received a grant of over $500,000 from the Ontario government through the Regional Development Program.
The Regional Development Program for Eastern and Southwestern Ontario was launched in November 2019, according to a release from the Ontario government. Businesses and municipalities can get financial support through the Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) and Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) and guided access to a range of complementary services and supports.
The program is supporting GreenCentre Canada in order to boost innovation and accelerate the chemical industry in Eastern Ontario while supporting the province’s economic recovery, the government stated. This investment will enhance GreenCentre Canada’s efforts to help companies in the region accelerate commercialization of new products and expand their national and global sales.
“Ontario is proud to be making targeted investments through the Regional Development Program to help GreenCentre Canada create good local jobs,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “We thank them for contributing to our province’s vibrant and growing chemical sector. This project is making a significant impact on the Kingston and Eastern Ontario regional economy by investing in Ontario’s talented workforce and creating the conditions for long-term economic growth.”
GreenCentre Canada, located in Innovation Park at 945 Princess Street, has state-of-the-art labs, staffed by a team of scientists and engineers who provide companies with expert technical development services, according to the release. The province said that the organization has a strong track record of accelerating the growth of innovative companies. It has directly assisted over 150 Canadian companies, which have raised $980 million in subsequent investment and created over 500 jobs. With Ontario’s investment, the province said that GreenCentre Canada will provide its expertise to companies in the region looking to expand their range of products and services.
“GreenCentre is pleased to support the Province’s Regional Development Program in Eastern Ontario,” said Dr. Andrew Pasternak, Executive Director. “It is very challenging for growing chemical companies to duplicate even a fraction of the facilities or expertise that we have amassed over the last decade. Companies served by our Mobilize program will be able to access the talent and resources to grow their business locally and make Eastern Ontario a leading producer of innovative chemical technologies.”
Ontario is investing more than $100 million through the Regional Development Program from 2019 to 2023, the government said, to support distinct regional priorities and challenges and boost the province’s economic recovery. According to the release, the program provides cost-shared funding to businesses, municipalities and economic development organizations to help local communities attract investment, diversify their economies, and create good, local jobs