February 13, 2015 – Kitchener, Ontario – Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)
FedDev Ontario Minister Gary Goodyear and local Members of Parliament recently toured manufacturers and innovative businesses in southern Ontario to announce investments to help the region's economy and to meet with stakeholders.
The Minister and local MPs announced nearly $3 million for four projects from York Region to Kitchener that will help grow businesses and create local jobs. This included nearly $1 million for manufacturer Gum Products International to expand its line of food safety products, and $600,000 for Kitchener start-up Mapped In Inc. to expand sales of its unique indoor mapping technology that helps visitors navigate a venue. Click here for a list of investments.
Minister Goodyear and local MPs also visited companies such as Palcam Technologies, a precision component manufacturer in Newmarket that has nearly doubled its workforce since 2013, as well as Thalmic Labs, a successful technology start-up in Kitchener whose wearable armband, Myo, is in high demand. The Myo armband reads the electrical activity in a user's muscles and the motion of their forearm to let them control electronic devices with hand gestures.
The Minister and local MPs also participated in four roundtables with stakeholders to hear feedback on a variety of topics and to outline FedDev Ontario funding initiatives. Topics for two of the roundtables included advanced manufacturing and disruptive technologies, which can lead to high-value jobs and transform business operations. The other two roundtables were with representatives from not-for-profit organizations and from start-up companies to discuss how these very different types of organizations are contributing to growing jobs and communities in southern Ontario.
Helping businesses grow and compete globally is part of FedDev Ontario's mandate to develop a strong and diversified southern Ontario economy.
Erica Furtado
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gary Goodyear
613-943-7599
Media Relations
FedDev Ontario
416-954-6652
FedDevMedia@FedDevOntario.gc.ca
Toll Free: 1-866-593-5505
Website: www.FedDevOntario.gc.ca
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