B.C. earmarks $5M for 10 manufacturing businesses on Vancouver Island

The provincial government is promising $5 million through its BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund to support 10 manufacturing businesses on Vancouver Island.

The province says the funds are intended to create jobs, strengthen local economies and promote development of “made-in-B.C.” products.

One of the largest recipients is Ron Anderson & Sons Ltd. (RAS), a wood-product manufacturer in Chemainus.

RAS specializes in building and installing prefabricated wood-frame buildings, and the province has promised $2 million to help the company expand to a new plant, which will create 35 full-time jobs and allow the company to expand its products into prefabricated floors, stairs and roof panels, which will also help the province meet its housing goals.

“By expanding and modernizing our facility in Chemainus, we are not only creating new local jobs, but increasing supply and accelerating installation of much-needed wood frame housing across B.C., efficiently and in a sustainable manner,” said Jack Downing, president and CEO of RAS in a release Thursday.

Another Island business receiving funding is the Cumberland-based Canadian Cultured Dairy Inc. – which is receiving $500,000 to help transition to a new dairy manufacturing facility and purchase new automated equipment, which will increase capacity and create nine jobs.

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Meanwhile, Nanaimo winery Rootside Provisions Ltd., which specializes in mead and apéritifs, is receiving $156,000 to build a new manufacturing facility and upgrade equipment. The project is expected to triple the winery’s production capacity, and create six jobs.

“We’re taking action to build resilient communities throughout the province and keep the people of B.C. at the centre of our blueprint for a stronger, cleaner economic future,” said B.C. Jobs Minister Brenda Bailey in a statement Thursday.

“By partnering with diverse manufacturers across Vancouver Island, we’re supporting the growth of local communities and strengthening their economies with good, sustainable jobs,” she said.

A full list of the 10 companies receiving funding can be found in the backgrounder information of the release.

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