Harper Government Invests in CME Program to Create and Support Manufacturing Jobs Across Southern Ontario

BURLINGTON, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Nov. 17, 2014) - Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)

Today, the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Federal Economic Development Agency of Southern Ontario), announced that FedDev Ontario is partnering with Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) to help southern Ontario's manufacturers adopt advanced technologies, enhance productivity and expand global competitiveness.

At the Advanced Manufacturing Summit today, co-hosted by McMaster University and CME, Minister of State Goodyear discussed the importance of advanced manufacturing to Canada's economy and announced up to $20 million for the CME to deliver a new program called SMART Advanced Technologies for Global Growth.

The CME program will be launched on December 1, 2014, and will provide funding for southern Ontario manufacturers who are exporting, planning to export, or selling into a supply chain, to conduct technology assessments and adopt advanced technologies. These types of technologies, such as robotics, 3D printing and automated materials handling, help to reduce manufacturers' production costs and expand their production capabilities. This enables businesses to become more competitive and strengthens their ability to participate in global supply chains.

This investment is through the Government of Canada's Investing in Business Growth and Productivity initiative, which is aimed at helping established businesses to expand their operations, invest in productivity improvements and compete globally.

Quick Facts

• More than 32,000 manufacturing establishments exist in southern Ontario and contribute significantly to local economies.
• Through its new program, CME expects that more than 1,000 new manufacturing jobs will be created in southern Ontario and 2,500 jobs will be maintained.
• FedDev Ontario's investment in CME is expected to leverage between $18 and $51 million from southern Ontario manufacturers.
• Since 2009, FedDev Ontario has invested more than $38 million in CME to deliver its SMART-branded programming in southern Ontario. This has supported more than 730 projects, which created more than 5,400 jobs and maintained more than 11,000.

Quotes

"Our Government is proud to renew our successful partnership with the CME to ensure manufacturing continues to be an economic engine in Canada. This investment will help our region's manufacturers compete in today's global economy and will also support job creation and diversification in our communities."

• Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for FedDev Ontario

"Minister Goodyear's announcement of the new SMART Advanced Technologies for Global Growth will benefit the bottom line of Ontario manufacturers as it will help them become more productive and more competitive, while enabling them to invest in new, leading-edge technologies. We are pleased to partner with the Government of Canada on this important initiative that will help manufacture the future of Ontario."

• Jayson Myers, President & CEO, CME

Related Products

Backgrounder: FedDev Ontario's Contribution to the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters

Speech: Investing in Business Growth and Productivity Funding Announcement for Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters

Associated Links

Investing in Business Growth and Productivity initiative (www.FedDevOntario.gc.ca/IBGP)

SMART Advanced Technologies for Global Growth Program (www.CME-SMART.ca)

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Backgrounder

FedDev Ontario's Contribution to Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME)

Through the Investing in Business Growth and Productivity initiative, FedDev Ontario is partnering with CME on a $20 million program called SMART Advanced Technologies for Global Growth. CME, Canada's leading trade and industry association, promotes the competiveness of Canadian manufacturers and enables the successful export of Canadian goods and services to markets around the world.

SMART Advanced Technologies for Global Growth will support southern Ontario manufacturers in accelerating their investment in advanced technologies, including information and communications technologies, robotics, additive manufacturing (3D printing), sensor-based technologies, instrumentation, automated materials handling, nanotechnologies, advanced green technologies, and advanced communications technologies.

The program will support two types of projects:

1. Advanced Technology Assessments by qualified professionals who will examine the manufacturing performance of a company and recommend how advanced technologies could be implemented to improve the company's productivity and capabilities. Advanced technology assessments will be eligible for funding of up to 50 percent of eligible costs to a maximum non-repayable contribution of $15,000.
2. Advanced Technology Adaptation/Adoption projects that will focus on improving productivity through the adaptation or adoption of new or upgraded advanced technologies, materials or processes. Advanced technology projects will be eligible for funding up to 35 percent of eligible costs to a maximum non-repayable contribution of $100,000.

CME expects to support up to 200 manufacturers through this program. Preference may be given to companies that have not received previous funding from CME and for projects that diversify a regional economy.

Eligibility requirements and further details will be available on December 1, 2014, on the CME SMART Advanced Technologies for Global Growth website.

FedDev Ontario's Investing in Business Growth and Productivity Initiative

The Investing in Business Growth and Productivity (IBGP) initiative focuses on established businesses that have potential to be global players. It also leverages the expertise of not-for-profit organizations to strengthen the productivity and global competitiveness of southern Ontario businesses.

Funding is available to:

• Grow established businesses through facility expansion or improvements;
• Increase business adoption of new technologies and processes to improve productivity; and
• Increase business capacity to participate in global markets, diversify markets and integrate in global value chains.

Applications are being accepted and assessed on an ongoing basis. Eligibility requirements and further details are available on the FedDev Ontario website.

Related Products

News release: Harper Government Invests in CME Program to Create and Support Manufacturing Jobs Across Southern Ontario

Speech: Investing in Business Growth and Productivity Funding Announcement for Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters