The Ontario Government is helping pork processor Conestoga Meat Packers to expand local production and bring 170 new jobs to Waterloo Region.
The government is investing up to C$5.3m ($4.35m) as part of its C$2.7bn ($2.2bn) Jobs and Prosperity Fund.
The investment is anticipated to create 170 new jobs over the seven-year term of the project. It also has the potential to create a further 165 jobs in Ontario in the following years.
Cliamed to be the second largest pork processor in Ontario, Conestoga Meat will look to broaden its product range with the increased productivity. Thereby, it expects to boost its export revenue while sustaining the competitiveness of Ontario’s pork industry.
Ontario Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Jeff Leal said: “Our government is proud to support the continued growth of Ontario’s food processing sector, an important driver of our economy. This support will help Conestoga Meat Packers increase its productivity, enhance competitiveness and create good jobs in Waterloo Region.”
The farmer-owned pork producer, which was founded in 1982, will use the government financing to acquire leading-edge equipment that is expected to nearly double its meat processing capacity.
Conestoga Meat Packers president Arnold Drung said: “This investment will help Conestoga build a state-of-the-art processing facility facilitating more high-quality product for markets in Canada and around the world.
“This will solidify the future for our 157 Ontario farmer owners and their families as well as our 900 employees. The expansion provides the opportunity for future growth both in volume processed as well as people employed.”
