NOFC funds announced in Timmins

Northern Development Minister Greg Rickford made a NOHFC funding announcement in Timmins this week. (Lydia Chubak/CTV News)

Northern Development Minister Greg Rickford made a NOHFC funding announcement in Timmins this week.

The province is providing more than $1.8 million for seven projects in the area.

"It feels great that especially since 2018, but particularly since George (Pirie) was elected, we're investing in small businesses," Rickford said.

"Some of them are relocating here to Timmins, some of them are expanding here. We have a broader profile of businesses. So we're kind of in some of the health care I care space. That's what northern development is about. It's not confined just to our traditional industries. And since we modernized the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund, our biggest problem has been the number of applicants. And we think that's a good problem to have."

Rickford and Timmins-James Bay MPP George Pirie delivered the news at Epitron's new electric panel manufacturing operation. The company received nearly $250,000 so it can better serve the mining industry.

"It was basically used to purchase this facility and allow us to take on more work because the facility we had previously … we had outgrown it," said Jethro Skwarok, co-owner of Epitron.

"So, yeah, it's allowed us to hire a few more people and basically build more panels."

Dr. Clean, an industrial cleaning business from Sudbury, received $600,000 to build and equip a facility in Timmins.

Other recipients included Niiwin, Family Eye Car, NPLH Drilling, Smooth Precision Inc, and Little John Enterprises.