HIGHLIGHTS OF RECENT PROGRESS & ACTIVITIES
Business Development
On November 22, The Honourable Sandra Pupatello, Minister of Economic Development & Trade announced that George A. Wright & Son was the successful recipient of $1,392,342 from the provincial Eastern Ontario Development Fund. The funds will help the company expand their clean energy machining and fabrication business, creating 16 new high-skilled jobs. The project is part of a multi-year, $9 million initiative being undertaken by the Kingston company.
KEDCO is pleased to announce that Centennial Global Technology Inc. will be expanding their solar panel manufacturing operations to Kingston later this year. Centennial Global Technology Inc. is a 100 per cent Canadian-owned company involved in the photovoltaic industry. As an eco-friendly company, their goal is to promote the use of renewable energy sources, specifically solar-power systems for which they manufacture solar panels which are amongst the most efficient on the marketplace today. Centennial Global Technology Inc. are initially leasing 20,000 square feet of manufacturing space on St. Remy Place. The company intends to immediately hire up to ten employees with further recruitment plans in 2011.
Tourism Kingston
Tourism Kingston is pleased to support five applications for Celebrate Ontario grants for partners and organizations throughout Kingston working towards the creation of new events and the enhancement of existing events. Ontario is increasing support for festivals and events that create jobs, attract tourists, stimulate local economies and provide entertaining activities for Ontario families across the province. This year, the province is investing $20 million through Celebrate Ontario to help festivals and events of all sizes reach new audiences and invigorate local economies.
Connie Markle, Conferences and Travel Trade Manager, will be in Toronto on November 30 and December 1 with members of the Travel Trade Advisory Committee. The delegation will be visiting with 30 Tour Operators throughout the GTA and downtown Toronto to encourage visitation to Kingston. The Tour Operators have been selected based on leads generated at two recent travel trade shows attended by Tourism Kingston – Bienvenue Quebec and the Ontario Motor Coach Association.
