Two businesses in the East Kootenay will receive grants from the B.C. government to expand their manufacturing operations.
B.C. officials said the Kimberley-based Stoke Juice will get up to $618,000 and Kicking Horse Coffee Co. Ltd. in Invermere will receive up to $330,000.
The grants are aimed at creating more jobs and supporting made-in-B.C. manufacturing businesses.
“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., owner of Stoke Juice, will use its grant to build a manufacturing facility to double its production, offer cold storage and transportation for other local producers, and create 34 jobs.
The company manufactures cold-pressed juice from imperfect B.C.-grown fruit and vegetables that cannot be sold in stores.
“This funding will be impactful in both the Kimberley community and the Kootenays by enabling us to expand employment, production capacity and distribution,” said Alistair Laing, co-owner of Stoke Juice.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Invermere’s Kicking Horse Coffee Co. Ltd. will use its grant to buy new equipment to increase production and efficiency and automate their manufacturing.
“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,” said B.C. officials.
B.C. officials said this will allow the business to add new products and create five new jobs.
“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,” said Hentie Pretorius, Kicking Horse Coffee vice-president of operations.
“This investment also sustains our commitment to supporting and investing in our employees and community, and the surrounding Columbia Valley and East Kootenay regions.”
The B.C. government said these grants come from the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund, which invests in projects meant to create jobs, support B.C. businesses and strengthen local economies.
Want to get your business noticed? Have you considered advertising through your local radio station? Speak to one of our sales agents and find out how radio advertising can boost your business today. Call 250-464-4100 or email Vista Radio.
