Saint-Gédéon, Quebec, June 26, 2008 – The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, today announced $155,250 in repayable funding to Granicor Inc. for the acquisition of specialized equipment for upgrading previously non tradable large-scale granite blocks. The firm will turn this waste into high value-added products, such as street edges, landscaping products or retaining walls.
Granicor Inc. has owned and operated some 40 granite quarries and processing plants since 1922. Its extraction and transformation operations are in North America and its market is global. A leader in granite extraction and processing technologies, Granicor designs decorative pieces and construction materials. This government support will enable the company to extend its Saint-Gédéon plant operation from 10 to 12 months a year, consolidate 35 existing jobs and hire eight to 10 new employees.
"A family-run business passed down from generation to generation, Granicor Inc. is a true sustainable development success story and a source of inspiration. It has always managed to renew itself, ensure its continuity and adjust to market needs," said Minister Blackburn. "Canada Economic Development supports its project to upgrade granite waste because industrial minerals are a promising sector for the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean. Our investment will most certainly help consolidate and diversify the region's economy, especially that of the municipality of Saint-Gédéon, which is home to nearly 2,000 residents."
This contribution has been awarded through Canada Economic Development's Community Economic Diversification Initiative – Vitality, a measure intended to support Quebec communities in their diversification efforts.
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Sources:
Nadia Marceau
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 418-668-4602 or 1-800-463-9808
E-mail: nadia.marceau@dec-ced.gc.ca
Pierre Miquelon
Office of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-496-1282
E-mail: pierre.miquelon@dec-ced.gc.ca
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