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www.insideHALTON.com |OAKVILLE BEAVER |Thursday, February 9, 2017 |30 Tw olocal companies cash inon Grow ingForw ard2 by Nathan Howes Oakville Beaver Staff Two Oakville companies will be able to grow their businesses thanks to a financial boost from the federal and provincial governments. Reunion Island Coffee Ltd. and Florence Meat Supplies Ltd. are two of 223 Growing Forward 2 recipients in Ontario this year. Launched in 20i3, Growing Forward 2 helps create jobs and supports food/beverage processors to develop products that reflect changing market tastes and new opportunities. It is a five-year initiative from the federal, provincial and territorial governments to support Canada's agri-food and agri based products sector. Oakville MP John Oliver and Oakville MPP and Ontario Labour Minister Kevin Flynn made the local funding announcement Friday Feb. 3 at Reunion Island Coffee. "Our government is committed to helping farmers and food processors take advantage of the new global market opportunities that are emerging, to grow Canada's economy and the middle class," said Oliver. The two Oakville businesses received a total of $175,000. Reunion Island Coffee obtained $100,000 to purchase and install new packaging equipment to increase labour productivity and efficiency and Florence Meats was given $75,000 to purchase production equipment and complete facility upgrades to help segregate high-risk, ready-to-eat production. "The commitment we're seeing from these individuals really is a testament to the strength of the agri-food business, to the importance and reputation of the agri-food business in the Province of Ontario," said Flynn. Friday's funding announcement was part of the provincial and federal governments' total Growing Forward 2 investment of Oakville MPP and Ontario Labour Minister Kevin Flynn, left, and Oakville MP John Oliver, right, announced $175,000 in Growing Forward 2 funding for local businesses, Island Reunion Coffee and Florence Meats, Feb. 3. Also pictured, left to right, is Adam Pesce, director of coffee at Reunion Island Coffee and Carol and Damian Goriup Florence Meats owners. | Nathan Howes/Metroland approximately $11.7 million in 223 Ontario projects. "It' s great to be here to see the success firsthand. It' s helping to grow the local economy and it's helping us to meet the Premier's agri-food growth challenge. It' s going to double job sector growth, it's going to create 120,000 new jobs by 2020," said Flynn. Flynn said the Province and the federal government "really, really recognize" the important contributions of the agri-foods sector in Ontario and Canada. He noted the industry generates more than $36 billion annually to Ontario's gross domestic product (GDP). "Ontario's support for food processing has helped generate more than $328 million of investment. It has helped create, or retain, in this province, about 5,000jobs. We all know the value of supporting communities, local businesses," said Flynn. The Ontario Labour Minister said Growing Forward 2 is helping food and beverage businesses keep and employ skilled workers, innovate the work they do and allow them to operate their businesses "much more" effectively "It helps support the local economy and it allows the businesses themselves to become much more competitive," said Flynn. "Itfereally reassuring to know we have governments that are on our side," said Adam Pesce, director of coffee, Reunion Island Coffee. "They want to help us grow, help us become better employers in our community, become better manufacturers for our country and get more Canadian products, not just across Canada, but across the world," said Pesce. "We've been growing for 22 years and I'm sure we would have been able to grow without the Growing Forward 2 money, but it sure makes it a lot easier." Carol Goriup, who, with her husband, Damian, owns Florence Meats, said the funding given to the business has allowed it expand its facility to process a "very unique product." "With the funding provided by Growing Forward 2, our new facility will allow us to increase production, increase sales and create more jobs to help operate our new facility. We're grateful of the support of this Growing Forward 2 program," said Goriup. The food and beverage processing industry employs 246,000 Canadians - the largest manufacturing employer in Canada, according to the Province. Oliver noted the country's agriculture sector generates more than $108 billion and provides jobs to one in eight Canadians. For more information on Growing Forward 2, visit http://www omafra.govon.ca/english/about/growingforward/gf2-jan17.htm. Beat cash emergencies w ith a Cash Advance. Available in-store, online, and wherever you're reading this ad. 2460 Neyagawa Blvd 905-257-1917 198 Speers Rd 905-338-6000 For details, visit us at: PIC-A-DELI W W eeky l Specia s: $9 99 Thursday Nights: Domestic Pint & 1 lb of Wings Daily special: Large 3 item Pizza- * 9 " Dine In & Pick up only Featuring Best Montreal Smoked Sandwiches All Day Breakfast. Hours: Monday - Saturday 7 am -1 am Closed Sundays. W e c a n h e lp . MONEY MART® is a registered service mark of National Money Mart Company. © 2015 National Money Mart Company. 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