Governments Provide Support for Local Companies During Small Business Week

October 24, 2016 – Saint-François-de-Madawaska N.B. – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

René Arseneault, Member of Parliament for Madawaska – Restigouche and the Honourable Francine Landry, Minister of Economic Development, marked the end of Small Business Week by announcing federal and provincial government contributions to four local small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

MP Arseneault, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), announced Government of Canada repayable contributions of over $1.6 million in four projects through ACOA’s Business Development Program (BDP). Minister Landry announced total assistance from the Province of New Brunswick of $833,327 through Opportunities NB and the Regional Development Corporation.

JMN Enterprises of Saint-François-de-Madawaska, Fiready of Clair, Water Blasting & Vacuum Services in Edmundston, and Boise AllJoist of St-Jacques are all expanding and increasing productivity thanks to government support. The funding announced will create new jobs, improve efficiency and employee safety, as well as help these companies better respond to client needs. The four companies combined employ more than 150 people in the largely rural Madawaska County.

These projects build on the Government of Canada’s and the Province of New Brunswick’s commitment to work together to drive economic growth in Atlantic Canada through the Atlantic Growth Strategy, which supports strategic investments in initiatives that build on the region’s competitive advantages, such as its strong export potential, growing innovation ecosystem, and skilled workforce.

Quotes

“The Government of Canada is committed to helping Canadian businesses grow, innovate and participate in a global economy so that they can create good quality jobs and generate wealth for Canadians. Innovation is critical to Atlantic Canada’s economic success, which is why we are supporting these businesses that are taking steps to modernize their operations to increase their productivity, growth and competitiveness.”

-       The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA

“Small and medium sized businesses are the backbone of the Atlantic Canadian economy. Our economic success depends in part on their ability to continuously adapt to changing markets so they can remain competitive here in Canada and on the world stage. The Government of Canada is pleased to support these four projects that will help local SMEs do just that as they increase productivity while creating more jobs for the people in this region.”

-       René Arseneault, MP for Madawaska – Restigouche

“New Brunswick is an export-driven province, and our government is committed to supporting companies to grow their exports, increase their competitiveness and create jobs here at home. In recognition of Small Business Week in New Brunswick we are pleased to support companies like JMN Enterprises Inc. and celebrate their accomplishments and the significant contribution they make to the New Brunswick economy and local communities.”

-       The Honourable Francine Landry, Minister of Economic Development and Minister responsible for Opportunities NB

Related Products

• Backgrounder

Associated Links

• Atlantic Growth Strategy
• Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
• Opportunities NB
• JMN Enterprises
• Boise Cascade AllJoist
• Fiready
• Water Blasting & Vacuum Services

Contacts

Lisa Gautreau
Acting Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-471-1565

Mary-Anne Hurley-Corbyn
Communications
Opportunities NB
506-476-7596