Sherbrooke, Quebec, October 15, 2009 – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, today announced that Tekna Plasma Systems Inc. has been awarded $1,000,000 in repayable funding to complete its expansion project.
The Community Adjustment Fund, an initiative of the Economic Action Plan adopted by the Government of Canada in January 2009, helps finance key projects like this one put forward by Tekna Plasma. The project, which will necessitate an overall investment of $4.2 million, consists of building a second plant for the manufacture of nanopowders. This major step will enable the firm to maintain 60 jobs and create some 10 additional ones.
“The current economic slowdown has affected many communities, particularly those that rely on the primary and manufacturing sectors. In order to succeed, they have to adjust to a constantly evolving environment, which does not go without saying. One of their biggest challenges is creating and maintaining short-term jobs. The Government is committed to supporting projects developed by SMEs who, rather than giving up, strive to innovate and remain competitive,” explained Minister of State Denis Lebel.
Tekna Plasma Systems, which exports 80% of its output, specializes in the field of induction plasma. The equipment it has developed is used to melt powders (tungsten, zircon, silica, etc.) and purify them to produce nanopowders. The firm’s clients include solar screen manufacturers and nanopowder manufacturers in the electronic, biomedical and energy sectors.
"Our government adopted Canada's Economic Action Plan in January of this year to tackle the economic crisis that has hit our country and the rest of the world. This large-scale measure is aimed not only at bringing about our rapid recovery, but also at laying the foundations for solid long-term economic growth and job creation. This Plan will lead to the investment of nearly $62 billion in our economy over the next two years," the Minister of State concluded.
For more on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
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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
Simon Bachand
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 613-996-6236
E-mail: simon.bachand@dec-ced.gc.ca
