Ontario Construction News staff writer
Springer Aerospace will use $1.4 million from the provincial government to expand its operations in Echo Bay.
“Over the past four years, the Ontario government and NOHFC have made it possible for us to grow from our humble 20,000 sq. ft. facility to an added, new state-of-the-art 30,000 sq. ft. facility, and recently assisted in the revitalization of our runway,” said Christopher Grant, vice president, Springer Aerospace.
“This has given us the opportunity to expand our offerings as well as an added variety of aircraft we service. The growth of our employees has also increased from 35 to greater than 100 at present.”
The company plans to build a new hangar to accommodate rapid growth. Also, $472,960 will be used to upgrade Springer’s long and short aviation runway, install new furnaces, purchase a new fuel tank and build a new culvert. These capital investments will enable the company to increase its capacity and attract a wider range of clients.
“Supporting growth in the aviation and aerospace sector in Northern Ontario is a key priority for our government,” said Greg Rickford, minister of Northern development, mines, natural resources and forestry. “These investments will create jobs in Algoma District and strengthen an important sector of the regional economy.”
Since June 2018, the NOHFC has contributed more than $473 million to 4,244 projects in Northern Ontario.
The programs target existing and emerging markets, provide more work opportunities for Indigenous people and address the skilled labour shortage in the North.