📋 Tender Overview
The Government of Canada through FedNor is investing in technology to help large and small businesses become more innovative competitive and successful contributing to growth and the creation of quality jobs in Northern Ontario. Today the Honourable Patty Hajdu Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor announced a Government of Canada investment of 3218500 to support four initiatives led by Innovation Initiatives Ontario North IION and Canadore College that will support regional innovation create jobs and strengthen the economy of Northeastern Ontario.Of the total IION will receive close to 2.5 million to implement three strategic initiatives 1.1 million under the Jobs and Growth Fund JGF to help small and medium enterprises SMEs increase commercialization and boost productivity through the existing Step Forward Entrepreneurs Program SFEP. The program provides up to 10000 in non-repayable funding to qualifying businesses for sales and marketing product development or business enhancement initiatives. SFEP is expected to help 80 companies create 60 jobs and maintain 105 more 925000 in JGF funding to build on its IION-Research and Prototyping in Development iRAPID initiative by helping up to 75 businesses accelerate commercialization activities for innovative companies that require assistance for a specific research and development RD project. iRAPID will assist companies develop locally-made products processes or services and encourage Made in Canada solutions. Up to 45 new jobs are expected to be created with an additional 80 maintained and 473500 JGF funding to support businesses increase their productivity and competitiveness while accelerating commercialization by implementing phase three of the Skills Development Placement Program SDPP. The SDPP provides qualified workers with a 16-week work placement and matches them with innovative companies to gain hands-on experiences and develop transferable skills in a risk-free environment. Over a 3-year period it is expected that the SDPP will create 40 full-time contract positions and maintain another 60 jobs.In addition as part of the announcement Canadore College will receive FedNor funding of 750000 through the Regional Growth Through Innovation Fund to implement the Responsive Innovation 4.0 RI 4.0 initiative which will enhance the regional innovation ecosystem and support critical applied research needs. The initiative will meet the innovation needs of Northern Ontario businesses and organizations by increasing their capacity for scale-up and product development. Canadores Innovation Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Prototyping ICAMP is undertaking up to 30 individual research projects to help develop and commercialize new or modified products processes services or technologies and bring these new products to market. The initiative is expected to create 65 new jobs and maintain 60 others.QuotesI am pleased that this funding through FedNor will provide the necessary assistance to help companies increase their productivity commercialize and take their business to the next level. In addition to supporting job creation the federal government is working with small businesses in the NipissingTimiskaming region and across Northeastern Ontario to take advantage of new business opportunities that will support their growth and sustainability. - Anthony Rota Member of Parliament for NipissingTimiskamingInnovation Initiatives Ontario North IION and Canadore College are leading the way in developing the tools that will bring success for small and medium-sized businesses in our region. Through these investments of over 3.2 million announced today FedNor is helping businesses adopt new technologies increase productivity create new jobs and stay competitive.- The Honourable Patty Hajdu Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNorWe are on the verge of an exciting future as we rapidly transition to new adaptive economic models and a redefined regional globalization. Consequently assisting businesses to grow through multiple processes of constant innovation helping to create new opportunities and their translation into successful commercial outcomes remains job one.- Rob Deline Executive Director IIONCanadore is grateful for the continued support of FedNor. The funding announced today by Minister Hajdu and MP Rota will give ICAMP the capacity to engage in projects that responsively meet the innovation needs of local and regional businesses and organizations in Northern Ontario. So far the Responsive Innovation fund at ICAMP has helped 18 companies with a total of 24 projects. These projects bring economic development and employment to the region. ICAMP is looking to provide another round of funding beginning in April to continue to help forge new and lasting strategic business alliances for a stronger North.- George Burton President and CEO Canadore College
