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Cameron's Brewing Company receives grant from provincial, federal governments by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 23 | Thursday, July 14, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Oakville's Cameron's Brewing Company was among the businesses that celebrated Ontario's Craft Beer Week, recently, with a healthy grant courtesy of the provincial and federal governments. The local brewery received $150,960 as part of a federal/ provincial investment that saw $1.6 million in funding directed into 42 projects at 20 craft breweries. Oakville MPP and Minister of Labour Kevin Flynn talked about the initiative during a tour of the Cameron's Invicta Drive facility on June 24. "Growing Forward 2 is a grant that is being made available to agri-food businesses, including craft brewers, that allows folks like Cameron's to expand product lines, to innovate and to do the sort of things that we really know are going to grow the agri-food sector," said Flynn. "It is wonderful to be able to work with a federal government that is listening to what Ontario is asking for. What we have been asking for is a partnership and we finally have that in place.... That's the only way you get funds like this going, is when the two levels of government are working together." Oakville MP John Oliver also attended the tour and talked about the federal government's decision to fund craft breweries. "We're very keen in investing in innovative companies," said Oliver. "The craft brewery industry in Ontario has been doing some very significant business. I think there is almost 1,500 people employed in the craft brewery industries right now. They've done nearly $70 million in sales (last year at the LCBO). It's a great group of companies to be working with and at the very peak of that is Cameron's Brewing." Bill Coleman, Cameron's Brewing Company president, said his business has already started spending the $150,960 on launching a canned version of their product. "Tallboy cans, the 473 ml cans, are the fastest growing segment in the LCBO. They are growing near 48 per cent of sales at the LCBO and they're growing 45 per cent compounded per year. So, it is incredible," CONCRETE Growing Forward 2 is a grant that is being made available to agri-food businesses, including craft brewers, that allows folks like Cameron's to expand product lines, to innovate and to do the sort of things that we really know are going to grow the agri-food sector. Oakville MPP and Minister of Labour Kevin Flynn said Coleman. "It was time to update our brand and get into the right skew. We also used the money to update the marketing and the look of the brand. So, with the updated brand and the investment in the canning line, we are seeing incredible growth. We actually have tripled our sales at the LCBO." As a result of this prosperity, Coleman said his company has hired additional sales people as well as two recent graduates of the Niagara College brewery program. The Province has created new opportunities for the sale of beer by allowing some grocery stores across Ontario to carry the product. Since 2013, the governments of Canada and Ontario have committed more than $38 million to more than 750 projects for food, beverage and processor businesses through Growing Forward 2 cost-shared funding assistance. In a press release, Oliver noted this investment helps achieve the federal government's goal of supporting the agricultural and agri-food sector in a way that allows it to be a leader in job creation and innovation. Providing more opportunities for small brewers is part of the Ontario government's plan to grow the economy and create jobs. Want to see your money doing better? Talk to us Watch your money grow with great rates from FirstOntario. 12 Month GIC st. EXPOSED AGGREGATE (Pebble) · DRIVEWAYS · STEPS · FRENCH CURBS · WALKWAYS · PATIOS · GARAGE FLOORS 1.90 2.00 % 1.70 %* e-Savings up to Conditions apply. Rates subject to change. *Rates apply to registered and non-registered products. 30 Month GIC %* Original artwork by Michael Byers uality At Its Best! Call Fernando 905-844-5518 1-888-944-5518 www.concretetrimmings.com FREE ESTIMATES Call us at 1-800-616-8878 or visit FirstOntario.com