Rickford announces $1M for Sudbury's airport

FedNor and Natural Resources Minister Greg Rickford made his second of two funding announcements in Sudbury late Friday afternoon, unveiling $2 million for numerous projects in the city.

The largest – $1 million – will help pay for the $7 million hangar being built at the Greater Sudbury Airport.

Speaking at a newsconference at the airport, Rickford said he was pleased his government was able to support economic development in the region, and said FedNor has invested more than $61 million in Sudbury for hundreds of projects since 2006.

"This is an exciting day for Sudbury," he said. The $1 million will help the airport "build a 32,000 square-foot hangar needed to ensure the growth of existing businesses and to attract a diverse range of new businesses, including aircraft speciality operators, air cargo and engineering companies."

He also announced $427,945 for local manufacturers to provide training in lean management system training.

"It will help manufacturers to better identify and develop and deliver and maintain successful, lean management processes leading to improved productivity and long-term competitive business practices," he said.

And Science North is receiving $180,000 in support of a wildlife rescue travelling exhibit, which, Rickford said, will traverse across of Northern Ontario, including his riding in Kenora.

Mayor Brian Bigger said it was always good news when Rickford is in town.

"Every time I see you, you bring great news to our city and our region,” Bigger said. “And so I hope to be seeing you more in future. These are essential investments in our community and Northern Ontario ... There's no doubt we can always do more to encourage growth in our community as the interconnected hub of Northern Ontario."

And Vince Pollesel, the airport's chair of finance, said they are “extremely” proud of the success the airport has enjoyed over the last 10 years. The hangar, he said, is, he said, is a key part of the future.

"With a solid foundation in place, we set out to attract new business to our airport," Pollesel said. "The new hangar will accommodate the business needs of our two major airport tenants."

And the aviation company Discovery Air Services "will utilize the building to expand their services in the area of fire detection and suppression and flight training," he added.

With two funding announcements in one day – in the morning, Rickford announced $5 million for the Advanced Medical Research Institute of Canada – he was asked whether it meant an election is near.

"No, this is FedNor at its finest,” he responded. “Investing in community development, business growth and innovation and ... a wide spectrum of entrepreneurial activities. This is just doing FedNor business in its normal course."

Other funds announced Friday include:

-- More than $200,000 for seven recent post-secondary graduates to gain valuable on-the-job experience through FedNor's Youth Internship Initiative
$98,500 for the Conseil de la coopération de l'Ontario, a not-for-profit francophone organization, in partnership with the Ontario Co-operative Association, to translate, adapt and improve their respective training programs.

-- $41,300 to help Les productions Café-musique de Rayside-Balfour to host the 400th Champlain Festival in Bell Park on June 13.

-- $20,000 for Northeastern Ontario Tourism to create a product development strategy and implementation plan.

-- $10,750 to enable the Ontario Co-operative Association to coordinate and host the Northeastern Ontario Co-operative Conference on March 26.