September 20, 2004 Bath, New Brunswick Canadian Organic Maple Company Ltd., a producer of 100-percent organic maple syrup, today unveiled an expansion plan that will increase the number of their maple sugar taps from 45,000 to 105,000 and also allow the company to refine and create a variety of maple products such as maple spread, sugar and candy. This expansion will create an estimated three full-time jobs, plus eight new seasonal jobs over the next three years. In addition, the project includes the purchase of the following specialized equipment: reverse osmosis equipment and tanks; an evaporator, econovac, generator, double-walled fuel tank, and production and packing line equipment. All of this will allow the company to maximize the production and refinement of its maple products while meeting world class standards. A total of $385,850 in repayable funding through ACOA's Business Development Program was announced by Andy Savoy, MP for Tobique-Mactaquac, on behalf of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "The Government of Canada, through ACOA, is proud to invest in Canadian Organic Maple Company Ltd., a company that strives to produce quality organic products while working in harmony with the environment," said Mr. Savoy. "I am delighted to see a company expand and create new opportunities for people in this rural area." Recently, the company received a first-place award for the "Best Maple Products," from the North American Maple Council. President Gus Hargrove says it's because he has talented staff and the world's best conditions for producing top-notch products. "We are pleased to build a business based on a local sustainable resource unique to this region of the world," remarked Mr. Hargrove. "Our forest conditions and production, combined with exceptional staff are among the best to be found anywhere, attracting customers from every continent." Currently, Canadian Organic Maple Co. exports organic maple syrup to health chains in the United States, Japan, and western and eastern Canada. As their products and markets grow, the company hopes to provide a market for other organic operators in the province by processing their sap into value-added products. Active for many years in creating environmentally-friendly products that use renewable resources, Canadian Organic Maple Company is certified by the Maritime Certified Organic Growers Association, the Organic Crop Improvement Association, the Northeast Farmers Association, and licensed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. ACOA's Business Development Program was created to provide repayable financial assistance to small- and medium-sized enterprises to establish, expand and modernize operations. For more information on ACOA's programs, visit our Web site at: www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca. - 30 - Ron Crozier Office of the Minister for ACOA (902) 888-4150 Ann Kenney Senior Communications Officer ACOA NB (506) 452-3687 Gus Hargrove President Canadian Organic Maple Co. Ltd. (506) 278-5998
