Escuminac, Quebec, June 10, 2010 – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, today announced the awarding of $109,454 in repayable funding to Érablière Escuminac Inc. for, among other things, the acquisition of equipment that will enable the firm to begin producing organic syrup from the sap of the yellow birch tree.
Founded in 1998, Érablière Escuminac Inc. ranks among Quebec's top five producers of certified organic maple syrup. In 2009, after a series of tests conducted on a stand of yellow birch trees yielded promising results, the enterprise decided to branch out into the production of birch syrup. The financial assistance from the Government of Canada will therefore serve for the installation of tubing, expansion of the existing pumping station, addition of a second pumping station and acquisition of various equipment required for the new production line, notably an osmosis system, bottling system, sap and syrup tanks, syrup flow regulator and evaporator. Considered a premium quality product, birch syrup differs from maple syrup by virtue of its distinctive caramel flavour and has been gaining considerably in popularity, especially among chefs.
"In times of economic slowdown, it is important to support businesses that are engaging in innovation and furthering the economic diversification of the regions, as is the case with Érablière Escuminac. That is why the Government of Canada did not hesitate to lend its financial assistance to this project which, from the very outset, will stimulate employment and eventually allow the enterprise to increase and diversify its revenues. This is a very positive shift that hints at promising results down the road," explained the Minister of State.
This funding of the Érablière Escuminac project has been awarded through the Community Adjustment Fund established under Canada's Economic Action Plan, a measure adopted in January 2009 to bring about the rapid recovery of the Canadian economy, stimulate job creation and address the transitional and adjustment challenges facing communities and industries undergoing restructuring.
For more on Canada's Economic Action Plan , visit www.actionplan.gc.ca .
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Sources:
Claudie Lamontagne
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 418-722-3280 or 1-800-463-9073
E-mail: claudie.lamontagne @dec-ced.gc.ca
Ève Cardinal
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-997-3319
E-mail: eve.cardinal@dec-ced.gc.ca
