The Government of Canada is investing more than $20 million to help businesses in London and the Chatham-Kent region modernize operations and strengthen competitiveness amid ongoing global trade pressures.
The announcement, made May 15 in London by the Evan Solomon, supports eight businesses and organizations impacted by trade disruptions through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative administered by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.
While the broader funding package includes companies across the region, several Wallaceburg-based manufacturers are among the local beneficiaries, including AarKel Tool & Die Inc., Five Star Tool and Die Ltd., Ritch-Meyer Machine & Tool Inc. and Select Finishing.
“Across southern Ontario, businesses are navigating trade disruptions and evolving markets, which are placing new strain on supply chains,” Solomon stated.
“Today’s investment for these eight businesses and organizations in London and Chatham-Kent shows our government’s commitment to helping companies and organizations adapt to trade disruptions, strengthen supply chains, reinforce resilience and build Canada strong.”
Other recipients named in the announcement include Atlantic Industries Limited, Attica Manufacturing Inc., Starlim North America Corporation and the Western Fair Association.
Officials said the funding is intended to help companies improve efficiency, adopt new technologies and expand growth opportunities while navigating supply chain pressures and evolving global markets.
“Across southern Ontario, businesses are navigating trade disruptions and evolving markets, which are placing new strain on supply chains,” Solomon said during the announcement.
“Today’s investment for these eight businesses and organizations in London and Chatham-Kent shows our government’s commitment to helping companies and organizations adapt to trade disruptions, strengthen supply chains, reinforce resilience and build Canada strong.”
Parliamentary Secretary Peter Fragiskatos said the targeted investments are intended to help companies remain competitive and continue growing domestically.
“This funding will help these eight London and Chatham-Kent region businesses and organizations navigate the changing global landscape,” Fragiskatos said.
“Through targeted, practical investments, the Government of Canada is helping companies adapt, remain competitive and continue growing here at home.”
The announcement also included significant support for the Western Fair Association’s Grove Innovation Hub expansion, which received $8 million to scale up its agri-food innovation facilities, including cold storage and production capacity aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises.
Officials said the investments are part of broader federal tariff-response measures designed to strengthen industrial resilience and protect jobs across Canada’s manufacturing and agri-food sectors.
