July 22, 2019 - North Bay, ON - Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario - FedNor
North Bay start-up Canada Meat Group (CMG) is scaling-up operations and creating up to 40 local jobs thanks to a Government of Canada investment of $1 million. This repayable FedNor contribution will enable the firm to accelerate its expansion into global markets by establishing a 15,000-sq.-ft., federally licensed meat processing and cold storage facility at the North Bay Airport Industrial Business Park.
Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament for Nipissing-Timiskaming, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for FedNor.
The company's new facility will help maximize operational and energy efficiencies, while improving product quality through the use of state-of-the-art equipment. Once complete, the plant will feature a specialty blast freezer with smart technology designed to reduce freezing times and enhance product quality. The new freezing system will also increase product shelf life and help CMG increase sales by capitalizing on the increasing demand for high-quality specialty meats such as Kosher and Halal products in Canada, the Middle East and Asia.
Quotes
"Our government is investing in Canadian start-ups to help them scale-up and become more competitive so they can expand domestically and into international markets. Today's investment will allow Canada Meat Group to export its products across Canada, Asia and the Middle East to meet the growing demand for specialty meats."
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for FedNor
"I'm thrilled this FedNor investment will create up to 40 local jobs and help a North Bay firm gain access to a lucrative worldwide market. This project is a great example of how technology and innovation is helping Northern Ontario entrepreneurs and firms capitalize on new opportunities to create jobs, growth and a strong economy."
- Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament for Nipissing-Timiskaming
"We would like to thank the Government of Canada for helping us grow our business and increase exports to overseas markets, where demand for specialty meat such as Halal is at an all-time high. In the next few years our goal is to have our products available for purchase across the Middle East, Asia, South Korea and Japan."
- Oleksandr Zahrebelnyi, President, Canada Meat Group
Quick facts
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The funding announced today is provided through FedNor's Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program, which supports the growth of Canadian businesses, their expansion into new markets and their adoption of new technologies and processes.
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Since 2016 and through successive budgets, the Government of Canada has earmarked an additional $62 million for FedNor in support of various initiatives to enable the organization to further strengthen Northern Ontario's economy and create even more middle-class jobs for Canadians.
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The global Halal food industry is estimated at half a trillion dollars annually, with the majority of sales generated in the Middle East and North Africa.
