Sainte-Edwidge-de-Clifton, Quebec, March 26, 2008 – Jacques Gourde, Member of Parliament for Lotbinière–Chutes-de-la-Chaudière and Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Mi inister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, today announced that the firm Caldwell Bio Fermentation Canada Inc. has been granted $63,000 in repayable funding toward the acquisition of a vacuum packaging machine and specialized facil ities such as a freezer room, cold room, cellar and storage silos. Awarded through Canada Economic Development's Community Diversification program, this funding is expected to help the company double its production capacity, maintain fou r existing jobs and create an additional five positions within the next three years.
Based in Sainte-Edwidge-de-Clifton, Caldwell Bio Fermentation Canada Inc. specializes in the production and transformation of lacto-fermented foods. The compan y produces a wide range of organically-certified fermented vegetables for the natural foods market and sells advanced bio-fermentation technology solutions to enterprises operating in the agri-food sector. The United States and Toronto constitute the f irm's main target markets.
"In its February 26th budget, the Government of Canada proposed a series of measures aimed at helping businesses in their development efforts and stimulating the country's economic growth. The manufact uring and processing sector will thus benefit from an additional billion dollars in assistance as a result of the three-year extension of the capital cost allowance for the accelerated write-off of manufacturing and processing machinery and equipment. This contribution we are announcing today is also entirely in line with the many tools the Government of Canada has put in place, among them the Advantage Canada strategic plan, to help build a strong and vibrant economy capable of generating sustainable growth," stated Mr. Gourde.
"It is important that small and medium-sized enterprises commit themselves to improving their performance and becoming more competitive. Today, Caldwell Bio Fermentation is undertaking a proces s that promises to foster its own growth while revitalizing the Coaticook-area economy and preserving jobs in the region. As one of Sainte-Edwidge-de-Clifton's only processors, this firm will be helping further the development and diversification of its community through this project," commented Minister Blackburn.
"By building on our one-of-a-kind work methods and know-how, we will be able to continue meeting the ever-changing needs of our customers. Moreover, this project we are carrying out with Canada Economic Development's support will enable us to raise our exports to the U.S. by 30%, develop the Toronto market and increase our sales of bio-fermentation solutions," explained Gary Caldwell, Chief Executi ve Officer of Caldwell Bio Fermentation Canada Inc.
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Sources:
Marie–Claude Lemire
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-283-2199
Cell.: 514-895-6237
E-mail: marie-claude.lemire@dec-ced.gc.ca
Jean-Philippe Payment
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-953-5646
E-mail: jeanphilippe.payment@hrsdc-rhdsc.gc.ca
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