Backgrounder: More than half a million dollars for development activities supporting the growth of two companies and the development of the Côte-Nord region’s bio-food sector

June 28,  2019 – Sept-Îles, Quebec – Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

The two Indigenous companies Phytimpact and Groupe UMEK, as well as the Table bioalimentaire Côte‑Nord will be able to complete their projects by receiving repayable and non-repayable contributions totalling $560,735 from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions.

Rémi Massé, Member of Parliament for Avignon–La Mitis–Matane–Matapédia and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, announced that funding today as part of a tour of the Côte-Nord region. Carrying out their respective projects will generate total investments of over $1.7M and have a significant impact on the region’s economy.

The funding was awarded under CED’s Quebec Economic Development Program and Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program.

Groupe UMEK S.E.C.

Repayable contribution of $373,164 out of a total investment of $926,251

Founded in 2005, the Groupe UMEK S.E.C. is a predominantly Indigenous limited partnership with nearly 70 employees. The company specializes in snow crab processing. Production is sold mainly in Canada and the United States.

The project aims to boost the company’s productivity through the purchase of automated production equipment and optimization of its manufacturing operations. It involves purchasing and installing a digital continuous brine freezer, a refrigeration system, and a digital traceability system, as well as associated equipment. It also includes modifications to the plant’s facilities. CED’s contribution will cover the costs of the equipment and the redesign of the plant.

Phytimpact Inc.

Non-repayable contribution of $99,999 out of a total investment of $563,000

Phytimpact Inc. is an Indigenous company that was incorporated in 2012. It operates in the plant biotechnology sector and works at developing active ingredients from boreal forest plants, mainly wild blueberries. The company targets various markets in the food, nutraceutical and cosmeceutical sectors. Since 2016, it has focused on producing active ingredients based on northern blueberries (blueberries harvested north of the 50th parallel) for the nutraceutical industry.

The project aims to carry out the final pre-market phase for three new natural health products developed from active ingredients extracted from northern blueberries. CED’s contribution will enable the company to acquire the resources it needs to carry out its project.

Table bioalimentaire Côte-Nord

Non-repayable contribution of $87,572 out of a total investment of $259,893

Formed in 2009, the Table bioalimentaire Côte-Nord is a non-profit organization that provides specialized support services to bio-food SMEs. Its mission is to promote the growth, development and marketing of Côte-Nord region’s bio-food products from a sustainable development perspective.

The project aims to enhance the competitiveness of the Côte-Nord region’s bio-food value chain. It involves promoting it in a concerted way and mobilizing the collective competitive advantages within and outside of the region. CED’s contribution will help the organization with acquiring the resources needed for developing and implementing its project.

Summary

Number of projects: 3
CED’s contributions: $560,735
Total investments generated by these projects: $1,749,144