ETOBICOKE, ONTARIO — Residents in the Greater Toronto Area will benefit from a new expansion of the Italian Home Bakery Ltd., made possible by an Economic Action Plan contribution of nearly $1.4 million. The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), and Senator Consiglio Di Nino joined bakery employees and local business leaders in the facility's new test kitchen area to mark the completion of this state-of-the-art project.
"Our government is committed to creating jobs and supporting the workers, communities and businesses of southern Ontario," said Minister Goodyear. "This investment in Italian Home Bakery Ltd. is allowing the company to expand their business and grow into international markets."
"This expansion will allow us to take a product that has only been available to the Toronto market and distribute it across Canada and the United States," said John Rossetti, Chief Financial Officer and Co-President of Italian Home Bakery Ltd. "This contribution has created an enormous opportunity for the growth of this company."
Italian Home Bakery Ltd., a processor of fresh, authentic, artisan European-style breads and rolls for the Greater Toronto Area, used the repayable contribution of up to $1,399,821 to expand its current facility and productivity by purchasing new equipment, including new mixers and mixing stations, a new slicer, a new production line and a new tunnel oven. The company expects to create 45 new jobs with these upgrades, as well as expand market distribution and increase market awareness of its products and branding.
"The Harper Government is investing in businesses to create jobs and strengthen the economy," said Senator Di Nino. "This investment will create roughly 45 new jobs here in Etobicoke, and support our economic recovery."
This project was funded under the food and beverage intake of the Southern Ontario Development Program, delivered by FedDev Ontario. FedDev Ontario was created as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan to support economic and community development, innovation, and economic diversification, with contributions to communities, businesses and non-profit organizations in southern Ontario. To learn more about FedDev Ontario and the Southern Ontario Development Program, please visit the website at www.feddevontario.gc.ca, or call 1-866-593-5505. For additional information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
Source: Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)