TECUMSEH — Expect some major job announcements in southwestern Ontario from the federal government in the coming days.
It started Wednesday morning at Laval Tool and Mould Ltd in Tecumseh, where federal Minister of Economic Development Melanie Joly announced a $7-million investment for three local companies to expand and create 42 jobs.
Laval Tool and Mould, Precision Stamping and SPM Automation Inc will share in the funds, which are repayable loans, to help them buy equipment to support growth.
“These investments will help buy new equipment from moulding to 3D printers, to make sure we can create new jobs,” said Minister Joly. “This investment will help to spur growth.”
Although there isn’t a clause to ensure the companies keep the investments in Canada, Minister Joly says these companies have proven their loyalty.
“We are supporting Canadian businesses, Canadian-owned businesses,” she adds. “Businesses that actually have been created here for a long time, so these people are committed, their families are here.”
SPM Automation Chief of Engineering Boris Novakovic says the automation company has already used its portion of the investment to create 12 jobs.
“We created jobs in every department in our company in manufacturing, engineering — both mechanical and controls — production, everywhere really,” he says.
Minister Joly also hinted about an upcoming announcement that will create 700 jobs through the creation of an incubator in southwestern Ontario including Windsor-Essex, Sarnia and London.
Another announcement is expected in Leamington at Highbury Canco on Thursday.
