An influx of provincial funding will help two Columbia Shuswap employers keep people working in the resource and manufucturing sectors.
On Wednesday, Jan. 17, the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation announced the province would be contributing as much as $8.6 million from the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund (BCMJF) towards capital projects “to help manufacturers grow and diversify their operations through new production lines, equipment and innovative technology, setting the stage for long-term sustainability while establishing new jobs and preserving existing positions.”
Among the recipients announced in a ministry media release were Downie Timber Ltd. (owned by the Gorman Group) in Revelstoke, and Access Prescision Machining Ltd. in Salmon Arm.
Downie, a lumber-milling and remanufacturing wood processor, will receive as much as $825,000 to purchase and commission a new debarker system, alongside facility upgrades “that will enable the company to reduce reliance on old-growth fibre and optimize operations, while protecting 229 existing jobs within the company.”
“With the rapidly changing log profile and reduced available volume of the regional timber supply in the Revelstoke area, Downie Timber is having to adapt quickly, increasing its focus on second-growth logs to protect over 229 direct jobs,” said Gorman chief executive officer Nick Arkle. “We greatly appreciate the support given through the BCMJF; it has contributed in a very significant way to a capital project that helps adjust to this new reality.”
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An “advanced manufacturing machining and fabrication service provider that manufactures custom machined parts for various industries including oil and gas, aerospace and commercial sectors,” Access Precision Machining Ltd. will receive up to $800,000 to purchase seven new machines, including six computer numerical control (CNC) machines, to “help grow its market in priority sectors with international exports, increase productivity and create as many as 18 jobs.”
“Receiving support from the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund enables the continuing scale up and growth of our business,” said Isaac Jenkins, general manager with Access Precision. “The funding will support our ability to complete multiple international projects with advanced manufacturing services and create up to 18 high-quality jobs. We are excited to continue to support the growth of the beautiful Shuswap region.”
Premier David Eby said this latest round of BCMJF funding “will get more people working on innovative equipment, producing new value-added wood products and reaching new markets so they can pay the mortgage, support their families and strengthen their local community.”
The province said it is working with B.C.’s value-added manufacturing sector to “increase the flow of fibre and find ways to expand local production of high-value wood products.
“A strong value-added manufacturing industry diversifies the forestry sector, creating new jobs and protecting existing jobs and buffering against global market challenges,” reads the media release.
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