Gord Brown presents cheque to new manufacturing company in Prescott

February 08, 2008

Prescott Mayor Suzanne Dodge, left, Leeds-Grenville Member of Parliament Gord Brown, and Grenville CFDC Board Chair Bob Hennessy, right, presented a cheque to CAI Treasurer and Prescott Plant Manager Paul Sartorelli to help that plant become established in Prescott.

Prescott, Ontario — Leeds-Grenville MP Gord Brown was in Prescott today to highlight Government of Canada funding of up to $150,000 under the Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP) – Community Retrofit Loan Program. The investment provided through the Grenville Community Futures Development Corporation (GCFDC) will support C.A.I. Inks Canada Ltd. efforts to finance the purchase of equipment, land and building to begin manufacturing operations in Prescott.

“The Eastern Ontario Development Program – Community Retrofit Loan Program provided the financial support needed to bring a new manufacturer to Grenville County," says Gord Brown, Member of Parliament for Leeds-Grenville. “This investment will continue to grow fruit into the future and bring real jobs to our community, building the local economy and sustaining growth”.

The Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP) is a $10-million Government of Canada initiative which promotes socio-economic development in rural Eastern Ontario, encourages a competitive and diversified regional economy, and contributes to the successful development of business and job opportunities and sustainable, self-reliant communities. The fund supports community and business development, skills development, retention and attraction of youth, and access to capital.

The Access to Capital - Community Retrofit Loan Program provides repayable, non-interest bearing loans, amortized up to ten years for qualifying businesses and commercial property owners in Augusta, Edwardsburgh/Cardinal, North Grenville and Prescott for the purposes of industrial retrofits and improving the physical appearance of buildings.

The repayable loan will aid C.A.I. Inks Canada Ltd. in their plans to do core manufacturing for Canadian customers and support the company in its efforts to become more competitive, and expand manufacturing and sales in the Canadian Market. C.A.I. Inks Canada Ltd. is creating jobs locally with the immediate start up of one production line and forecasts additional job creation as the company establishes and expands their Prescott production facility.

“We are pleased to have secured a manufacturing facility in Prescott”, stated Paul Sartorelli, Manager for C.A.I. Inks Canada Ltd. “The community has been very welcoming and the EODP funding has provided us the capacity needed to get started. At present we have hired 5 full time employees and with more facility upgrades and improvements underway, we look forward to further growth potential here in Prescott”.

Grenville CFDC Board Chair, Bob Hennessy remarked, “C.A.I. Inks Canada Ltd. coming to Prescott to open their manufacturing facility could not have come at a better time. Being able to support companies through these initial stages is both important and rewarding and to see the positive outcomes to our community is outstanding. The EODP allows us the ability to make it happen”.