(PETERBOROUGH, ON) Dean Del Mastro, Member of Parliament for Peterborough, was joined by the partners of the Tri-Association Manufacturers’ Initiative to announce the project’s results at a media conference held at the Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corporation (GPA EDC) today.

Through a contribution from the Government of Canada’s Community Adjustment Fund, delivered by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, the group received $1.4 million dollars to encourage small- and medium-sized manufacturing businesses to develop their workforces.  The project took place between April 1, 2010 and March 31, 2011, with an initial goal of assisting 80 small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) manufacturers and placing 300 workers in internships and other work assignments. However, as a result of the project, 111 SME manufacturers were assisted and 377 workers were given placements, producing an even greater economic impact.  

“Canada’s Economic Action Plan is providing long-term financial stability through investments in initiatives like the Tri-Association Manufacturers’ Initiative, which puts private and public sector investments to work for the communities that need it most,” said MP Del Mastro. “I am pleased to announce the successful results of a project that has allowed us to enhance the manufacturing sector in our communities, encouraging economic revitalization that will benefit our residents for many years to come.”

This project included training that covered a wide range of areas, but included learning about productivity enhancement and preparing the next generation of operational supervisors. New jobs were also created to help retain and attract youth and workers who had previously been employed in the manufacturing sector, ensuring that these valuable contributors to the workforce remained in the region.

“New jobs and new businesses are very hard to attract to any region and therefore supporting the existing base becomes paramount”,  says Bob Forder, Chair of the Quinte Manufacturers Association.  “Initiatives such as the Tri-Association Manufacturers' Initiative accomplishes just that and it is very evident through the numbers of Manufacturers that availed themselves to the funding.”

The Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corporation (GPA EDC) was the lead applicant and administrator for the project, which brought together not-for-profit and municipal economic development organizations representing the Quinte, Greater Peterborough, Northumberland and City of Kawartha Lakes regions. This first-time partnership helped leverage private sector investments and brought together the members of the Kawartha, Northumberland and Quinte Manufacturers’ Associations.

"The number of applicants for the Tri-Association Manufacturers Initiative funding supports the need for such programs in our regions," stated Tom Sayer, Chair of the Kawartha Manufacturers' Association. "The manufacturing sector has demonstrated that it can efficiently utilize these types of funds to the benefit of employees and to ensure the on-going vitality of the sector as a whole."

"This project brought together the not-for-profit and municipal economic development organizations representing the Greater Peterborough, Northumberland, Quinte and City of Kawartha Lakes regions" said Dan Taylor President and CEO of the Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corporation (GPA EDC) "The Tri-Association Manufacturers Initiative is an excellent example of how regional economic development offices can work collaboratively to help support the manufacturers in their areas."