Through the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund (BCMJF), the Government of B.C. today announced it is investing as much as $1.2 million in three projects in the region that will see local businesses grow and create new jobs.

Two of those projects are located in Invermere and Kimberley, while a third is at Harrop.

“We’re investing in local manufacturers to help them expand and create the family-supporting jobs that are a crucial part of the blueprint for thriving communities,” said Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. “Taking action to support the manufacturing sector’s growth helps us build resilient local communities throughout our province.”

In Kimberley, Naera Enterprises Inc. owns Stoke Juice, which manufactures organic cold-pressed juice using B.C.-grown imperfect fruit and vegetables that can’t be sold in stores, reducing food waste. They are receiving as much as $618,000 to construct a manufacturing facility that will enable them to double production, access new markets, offer cold storage and transportation for other local producers, and create 34 jobs.

“This funding will be impactful in both the Kimberley community and the Kootenays by enabling us to expand employment, production capacity and distribution. We team up with many other craft producers in B.C. to help get their products to market using our delivery services, meaning funding that helps grow Stoke Juice helps all our partner businesses, too,” said Alistair Laing, co-owner of Stoke Juice

And in Invermere, well-established Kicking Horse Coffee Co. Ltd. specializes in roasting, packaging and retailing coffee throughout North America and is the largest organic fair-trade coffee roaster in Canada.

They are receiving as much as $330,000 to purchase new equipment that will increase production, efficiency and the automation of their manufacturing, allowing them to add a new product while creating five jobs, the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation outlined in a media release.

“This funding enables us to acquire state-of-the-art machinery that enhances the production capacity and efficiency of our roasting facility in Invermere, while extending the reach of our fair-trade and organic coffee beans to more customers across Canada. This investment also sustains our commitment to supporting and investing in our employees and community, and the surrounding Columbia Valley and East Kootenay regions,” stated Hentie Pretorius, vice-president of operations, Kicking Horse Coffee Co. Ltd.

Harrop-Procter Community Cooperative is a co-operative that manages public forests and runs a sawmill where they process wood products. They will be receiving as much as $215,000 to upgrade the mill by replacing equipment to improve efficiency and adapt to smaller diameter logs, while creating three jobs.

The BCMJF supports high-value industrial and manufacturing capital projects in all sectors that will create and protect well-paying jobs.

The BCMJF has committed as much as $89.2 million to B.C.’s manufacturing sector, supporting 77 organizations to expand and grow.

Lead image: A look at Kicking Horse Coffee’s plant from across the Invermere Airport field.  e-KNOW file photo

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