The governments of Canada and Quebec are granting a total of $730,000 in financial assistance to brewing cooperative Microbrasserie Les grands bois as part of an expansion project with an estimated value of $2 million.
The Minister for the Economy, Minister Responsible for the Right Against Racism and Minister Responsible for the Laval Region, Christopher Skeete, along with the Member for Portneuf, Vincent Caron, as well as the Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec (CED), the Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, made the announcement today.
The aim of the project is to expand and refit the current building and acquire brewing equipment to increase the business's production capacity and thereby meet the growing demand for its products.
The Government of Canada is supporting the cooperative with a repayable contribution of $275,000 under CED's Quebec Economic Development Program (QEDP). For its part, the Government of Quebec is providing the business with a loan of $455,000 through Investissement Québec's capital funds.
Quotes
"As part of our economic recovery plan, the Government of Canada has set itself the priority of ensuring communities prosper. During Social Economy Month, we are proud to highlight the importance of businesses such as the Microbrasserie Les grands bois, which generates spin-offs for the entire community. CED supports homegrown businesses in their efforts to grow, and the microbrewery's expansion is proof of this. This initiative is excellent news for the economic vitality of Saint-Casimir and the entire region."
The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
"During Social Economy Month, I want to highlight the important contribution made by cooperatives to the socio-economic rise in Quebec. They have the well-being of communities and workers at heart and directly contribute to the vitality of their environment. The Microbrasserie Les grands bois clearly demonstrates the spin-offs social enterprises can have in our communities."
Christopher Skeete, Minister for the Economy, Minister Responsible for the Right Against Racism and Minister Responsible for the Laval Region
"The team at the Microbrasserie Les grands bois works with care to offer products of exceptional quality. The performance hall it has established in the region's former movie theatre also enables it to promote the performing arts in a festive, friendly ambience, to the pleasure of the people of Portneuf, who thereby benefit from the cooperative's twofold mission."
Vincent Caron, Member for Portneuf
"Cooperatives and other social economy enterprises play a considerable role in their communities, and Investissement Québec is proud to add its name as a partner in their growth projects. By acquiring this equipment, the Microbrasserie Les grands bois is giving itself the means to pursue its mission, while also meeting the growing demand for its products."
Guy LeBlanc, President and CEO, Investissement Québec
Quick facts
- Founded in 2016, the Microbrasserie Les grands bois offers a wide range of artisanal beers produced with top-quality ingredients.
- It also houses the Théâtre Des grands bois, the largest performance hall affiliated with a microbrewery in Quebec.
- CED is the key federal partner in Quebec's regional economic development. With its twelve regional business offices, it accompanies businesses, supporting organizations and all regions across Quebec into tomorrow's economy.
- Investissement Québec has a mission to actively participate in Quebec's economic development by stimulating business innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment and export growth across all regions.
