From: Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
June 10, 2022 – Guelph, Ontario
Ontario’s food and beverage processing sector is one of the largest in North America and the largest in Canada. Fostering agricultural and technological development is crucial to the success of this vital sector and the Canadian economy.
Today, on behalf of the Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament for Guelph, announced an investment of nearly $2 million for Bioenterprise Canada to deliver the FoodShift program; a green initiative that will help southern Ontario agri-business and food processers adopt net-zero technologies.
The project will connect agri-business and food processors looking to adopt clean technologies with cleantech entrepreneurs developing technologies that are ready for market. By creating these linkages, Bioenterprise will help southern Ontario food processors accelerate the adoption of net-zero technologies that will increase efficiency and competitiveness, while also supporting promising cleantech companies to commercialize their products and grow their revenues.
SMEs in the food processing sector will be eligible to receive up to $50,000, matched by the SME, to support the cost of adopting new green technologies. By project completion, this investment will support 30 food processors to future-proof their businesses and reduce their carbon footprint, support an additional 30 cleantech companies in growing their revenues and support 200 jobs.
Applications will be accepted starting July 27, 2022 and more information can be found at bioenterprise.ca.
Quotes
“Today’s investment in Bioenterprise will provide food processors and agri-businesses with the financial support and resources to accelerate their adoption of net-zero technologies. The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring businesses have the opportunity to increase their competitiveness and contribute to a resilient, clean economy while creating good jobs for Canadians.”
– The Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
“This investment in Bioenterprise supports Canada’s food ecosystem through innovation and will foster economic growth that will strengthen our local economy. Today’s announcement will support 60 companies and 200 jobs right here in Guelph and across southern Ontario.”
– Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament for Guelph
“Sustainability and net-zero technologies are critical to Canada’s leadership position in global food innovation and achieving our environmental goals. Ontario’s large food sector is looking to attain significant business growth through innovation, by connecting with new technologies to build more efficient processes, reduce costs and increase productivity, helping make Canada the benchmark for green processing and production in our agriculture and food sectors. This program, and the support of the Federal government, are ensuring these goals are reached, and Bioenterprise is happy to play a lead role in assessing and connecting these promising new technologies.”
– Dave Smardon, President & CEO, Bioenterprise
Quick facts
- Founded in 2003, Bioenterprise Canada is a not-for-profit organization based in Guelph, Ontario and is the only national accelerator in Canada that is dedicated to building and growing innovative companies focused on agricultural technology.
- Commonly referred to as “Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine,” Bioenterprise has provided funding, mentorship and business advisory services to more than 2,500 Canadian companies to date.
- FedDev Ontario is delivering $224 million of the Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF) to help businesses in southern Ontario and the organizations who support them, future-proof, build resiliency and prepare for growth by transitioning to a green, inclusive and competitive economy.
- Since 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested over $400 million in almost 200 projects related to cleantech and green initiatives in southern Ontario. The dedicated clean tech portion of these project totals over $190 million.
Associated links
Media Contacts
Monica Granados
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Monica.Granados@feddevontario.gc.ca
Media Relations
FedDev Ontario
feddevontariomediarelations-relationsmedias@feddevontario.gc.ca
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