July 22, 2015 – Mississauga, Ontario – Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)
Today, Member of Parliament for Mississauga East - Cooksville Wladyslaw Lizon, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, announced that the Harper Government will be providing up to $10.1 million that will strengthen the food and beverage sectors in southern Ontario.
MP Lizon announced an investment of up to $3.1 million for Furlani's Food Corporation to improve efficiency, productivity and boost its production capacity of specialty food products. This repayable contribution is through FedDev Ontario's Investing in Business Growth and Productivity initiative.
Furlani's Food Corporation is a privately-owned manufacturer of specialty garlic bread products, such as garlic toast, breadsticks and loaves. The company will be investing in advanced production equipment and a building expansion to add 21,900-square feet of freezer space. In addition to increasing production capacity, the adoption of new technologies will allow the company to develop a new line of breadstick products and expand its existing line of products, which will enhance the company's competitiveness in global markets.
In addition, George Brown College, through its Office of Research and Innovation, is receiving funding of up to $7,001,072 to expand their Food Innovation and Research Studio (FIRSt) and establish new labs for research and development to support product and process improvement for the food and beverage industry. This
$14-million project will include a Bake and Large Quantity Lab; a Beverage Research Lab, a Culinary and Large Quantity Lab and a new Industry Engagement and Interaction facility, to support the introduction and launch of new food products and services.
This investment, funded through FedDev Ontario's Investing in Commercialization Partnerships initiative, will also assist small- and medium-sized companies to access the necessary equipment, testing and development space and networking opportunities needed to bring new products and services to market.
Erica Furtado
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gary Goodyear
613-943-7599
Media Relations
FedDev Ontario
416-954-6652
FedDevOntarioMediaRelations-RelationsMedias@FedDevOntario.gc.ca
Toll Free: 1-866-593-5505
Website: www.FedDevOntario.gc.ca
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