KEDCO Update: Week Ending June 24, 2011

Published on: 2011/06/27 - in Releases

HIGHLIGHTS OF RECENT PROGRESS & ACTIVITIES

Business Development

On June 23 Minister Gerretsen announced that the Province of Ontario, through support from the Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) is helping MetalCraft Marine Inc. double its production capacity and create 20 new jobs. The province is providing a $417,409 EODF grant as part of the company’s $4.17 million expansion initiative to build a world-class manufacturing facility in Kingston.

The new facility will help the company meet the growing demand for larger and lighter boats and potentially double their sales by 2015. The company will also purchase new computer technology to design and manufacture patrol boats and research vessels with improved fuel-efficient capabilities.

Jeff Garrah, CEO and John Paul Shearer, Director of Business Development were in Toronto on June 24 for the Canada-India Business Council’s Global Business Forum organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Ontario’s Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.  The event featured a delegation of over 40 business leaders and academics from India representing cleantech, higher education, tourism and entertainment sectors and provided an opportunity to meet with executives from India’s top corporations.

This past week, Jeff Garrah, CEO and Jennifer Baker, Business Development Project Manager met with an international food processing company interested in establishing a presence in the region. Over the past six months, there has been significant interest in Kingston as a location from companies in the food processing industry.  KEDCO has joined the Ontario East Economic Development Corporation’s Food Sector Industry Group to work with the region to promote business opportunities for companies interested in expanding their operations domestically and internationally.

A significant provincial funding announcement will take place on Wednesday, June 29 at 11am at Anchor Concrete, 1645 Sydenham Road.

Tourism Kingston

Tourism Kingston hosted an industry Mix and Mingle on Tuesday, June 21 at The Keg Steakhouse & Bar.  Tourism partners came together to celebrate the start of the summer season and meet with Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation (OTMPC) representative Kathy Marcelline.  Ms. Marcelline provided an overview of the Ontario Tourism summer campaign and collaterals for promoting travel in Ontario.

Rob Carnegie, Director of Tourism Marketing & Development provided highlights of Tourism Kingston’s new online initiatives launched for the summer season.  The next Tourism Kingston Mix and Mingle will take place on Wednesday, August 10 at the Westbrook Golf Club & Driving Range at 7pm.

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Release / Logo: Kingston Economic Development Corporation