Hillier, Ontario, April 17, 2012 – An Ontario wine company is expanding its customer base and potential for export sales thanks to a boost from Canada’s Economic Action Plan. MP Daryl Kramp (Prince Edward-Hastings), on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, announced an investment of $42 000 to Hinterland Wine Company Ltd. toward the purchase and installation of new sparkling wine processing equipment at its facility in Hillier, Ontario.
"Our Government is helping Canadian winemakers become more competitive by cutting production costs, increasing efficiencies, and expanding export markets," said MP Kramp. "This investment is expected to increase Hinterland’s domestic sales and result in increased demand for domestically sourced grapes, strengthening our regional economy."
The new equipment will provide Hinterland with greater product quality control, enhanced wine flavour, and shorter production times, helping the company to increase its sales and better meet customer demand. This in turn will boost the demand for Canadian-sourced grapes, supporting local farmers.
"We are thrilled to have received the API investment, enabling us to purchase highly specialized sparkling wine equipment," said Vicki Samaras, President, Hinterland Wine. "As a small family-run business, this program allows us to focus on growth while continuing to specialize in what we believe to be a world-class product."
This repayable contribution is being delivered by the Agricultural Flexibility Fund (AgriFlexibility) through the AgriProcessing Initiative, a five-year, up to $50-million initiative designed to enhance the competitiveness of the agri-processing sector in Canada. It provides support to existing companies for projects that involve the adoption of innovative and new-to-company manufacturing technologies and processes that are essential to sustaining and improving the sector’s position in today’s global marketplace. For more information on this program, visit agriculture.canada.ca/api.
Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan (EAP), the Government of Canada is helping farmers find new markets, adapt to current economic challenges, and make their businesses more efficient and environmentally sustainable. The Next Phase of the EAP will remain focused on strengthening the economy while working toward returning to balanced budgets and securing Canada’s economic future. For more information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
