FedNor invests $500,000 to help Skyline Helicopter Technologies meet increased demand
News release
Federal funding allows Sudbury-based business to nearly double the size of its existing operations
August 10, 2023 – Sudbury, ON – Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario – FedNor
Today, Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Sudbury, announced a repayable FedNor contribution of $500,000 to help Skyline Helicopter Technologies scale up and modernize its operations. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor.
This targeted investment will allow Skyline Helicopter Technologies (SHT) to install a new helipad and expand its service centre by 7,000 square feet, nearly doubling its existing footprint. Once complete, this expansion will allow SHT to capitalize on increased demand for its products and services, resulting from its designation as Eastern Canada’s only Sikorsky Service Centre and becoming Northern Ontario’s only authorized distributor for Genesis Auto pilots, Garmin, Aspen, and Jupiter Avionics for both radio and navigation systems. As a result of this project, SHT will be well positioned to pursue the certifications needed to service other helicopter models, paving the way for more growth opportunities.
Strong economies need strong and growing local businesses. That is why the Government of Canada is proud to be investing in projects like this, which support innovation and technology adoption while helping business to start up, scale up, and create local jobs in Northern Ontario.
Quotes
“Skyline Helicopter Technologies is Northern Ontario’s only distributor for Genesis Auto Pilots, Garmin, Aspen, and critical radio and navigation systems. This investment will help the company grow their operations and create a number of good-paying jobs for families right here in Sudbury. Targeted investments in innovative sectors like this one are exactly what we need to grow an economy that will benefit everyone and leave no one behind.”
- The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor
“Technology and innovation is driving our economy forward, while creating jobs and growth here in Greater Sudbury and across Northern Ontario. This $500,000 investment in Skyline Helicopter Technologies means an innovative local business can scale up, expand their product and services, reach new markets, increase revenue and create jobs. I’m proud that the Government of Canada, through FedNor, continues to step up to make our region stronger.”
- Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Sudbury
“This FedNor investment will allow us to almost double the size of our Sudbury operations to meet the growing demand for products and services. Installing a new helipad and expanding our facilities will help us take the business to the next level so we can take on more clients, reach new markets, hire more people, and deliver improved services to our existing and future clients.”
- Joe Natale, President and Director of Maintenance, Skyline Helicopter Technologies
Quick facts
-
Skyline Helicopter Technologies provides service inspections, heavy maintenance checks, frame up refurbishments with structural repairs, avionics updates, component overhauls, and modifications to rotary wing aircrafts. They are a licensed Bell Customer Service Facility, a Robinson Helicopters Service Centre, and in 2014, Skyline Helicopter Technologies became the only Eastern Canada Sikorsky Service Centre for the Sikorsky S-76.
-
Funding for today’s announcement was provided through the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program. REGI is a national funding program which supports the growth of Canadian businesses, their expansion into new markets and their adoption of new technologies and processes.
-
FedNor delivers the program funding in Northern Ontario and works to support business scale-up, increase commercialization rates and enhance regional cluster development resulting in job creation in the region.
-
Through REGI and its other funding programs, FedNor continues to promote a more innovative, sustainable and inclusive economy for Northern Ontario.
Associated links
Contacts
Zeus Eden
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor
Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
Page details
- Date modified: