The provincial government has allocated $1.5 million to support a program benefiting the forestry industry in northwestern Ontario. The funding, part of the Trade-Impacted Communities Program, will bolster the Boreal Springboard initiative run by the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre. This program aims to facilitate the growth of companies operating in the forestry sector within the region.
Graham Bracken, the project coordinator for Boreal Springboard, highlighted the diverse investment opportunities in the area beyond just its forest resources and market access. He emphasized the importance of support from program partners and the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade in nurturing businesses within a thriving innovation ecosystem for future expansion.
The Boreal Springboard program offers two main components. The first is an accelerator stream, providing up to $40,000 in assistance along with guidance on business and product development for entrepreneurs establishing forest-based enterprises. The second stream, known as Soft-Landing, focuses on aiding external companies in expanding their operations in northwestern Ontario.
Kevin Holland, the Member of Provincial Parliament for Thunder Bay–Atikokan and Minister of Forestry and Forest Products, underscored the significance of the forest sector as a key economic driver in northwestern Ontario. He emphasized the role of skilled workers, innovative businesses, and a robust manufacturing base in supporting the sector. Through the Trade-Impacted Communities Program, the government aims to help forestry and wood-product businesses navigate challenges such as U.S. tariffs, attract new investments, and pursue opportunities to enhance local supply chains and foster growth in the region’s forest industry.
