Val d'Or, Quebec, May 16, 2008 – The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, today announced $41,740 in non-repayable funding to Clerval-based firm Habitation de l'artisan to produce a nail-less, glue-less dry wood log construction housing prototype.
The firm wants to develop its new type of housing in collaboration with Forinteck. The finished product, made of vertically dried and tongue-and-groove boards, will serve as a commercial model home the company can use to showcase the innovative techniques used in its construction.
"This project, initiated by the firm's owner, Pierre Drapeau, demonstrates that innovation lends value to secondary and tertiary wood processing, while highlighting the importance of diversification in this field. The financial support to Habitation de l'artisan is consistent with the measures the government has put in place to stimulate the emergence of new small and medium-sized enterprises, a key factor for a community like Clerval," noted Minister Blackburn.
Necessitating a total investment of more than $120,000, the project will result in the creation of three short-term jobs. This number is expected to increase when the firm has completed its startup phase. Habitation de l'artisan plans to sell its ready-to-assemble housing to the Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Northern Quebec and Northeastern Ontario markets.
Wood processing is a key sector of Abitibi-Témiscamingue, as are tourism, mining, forestry and agri-food processing. Indeed, it is in these areas that Canada Economic Development intends to focus its development efforts for the region.
This contribution has been awarded through the Community Economic Diversification Initiative – Vitality and is consistent with Canada Economic Development's mandate to promote the long-term economic growth of the regions of Quebec.
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Sources:
François Bélisle
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-825-5260, ext. 235
E-mail: francois.belisle@dec-ced.gc.ca
Sylvain Frenette
Office of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-496-1282
E-mail: sylvain.frenette@dec-ced.gc.ca
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