Mac Timber Receives Expansion Aid

The federal and provincial governments have combined to grant Mac Timber more than $540,000 in assistance toward its recently completed expansion project. Both governments made the announcement during the official opening of Mac Timber's newly renovated facility.

A total of $340,375 was provided by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency through its Business Development Program, and about $200,000 was provided by the Nova Scotia Economic Development and Tourism. The project will create 33 immediate jobs and an additional 15 over the next four years. Total employment to date is 43.

ACOA's assistance, in the form of an interest-free loan, was announced by Senator Al Graham, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister responsible for Nova Scotia, on behalf of Fred Mifflin, Secretary of State for ACOA. The province's assistance was announced by Agriculture and Marketing Minister Ed Lorraine, on behalf of Manning MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism.

"The federal government has made a commitment to aid the development of rural communities," said Senator Graham. "Companies like Mac Timber are helping to expand traditional resource-based industries and, at the same time, provide real employment opportunities for rural Nova Scotians."

"The new facility enables Mac Timber to add value to lower-grade wood products and open new markets for the industry in the process," said Mr. Lorraine. "In turn, 48 jobs will be created, which will provide both direct and indirect benefits to the Colchester economy."

The project involved the purchase and installation of two dry kilns, related equipment and required facility improvements. The new facility will produce kiln-dried and dressed smaller-sized dimensional lumber, boards and cut-ends to be sold in the United States and Europe.

"This funding helped us to improve our facility," said Mac Timber president Neil Vinet. "This will allow us to service export markets more efficiently and better fill a market niche for smaller value-added wood products."

Mac Timber sells and distributes materials used in construction such as shelving, lath and furring strips, and for pallet fabrication and furniture manufacturing.

ACOA is a federal government agency whose goal is to provide economic development and leadership to foster economic growth through the successful development of businesses and job creation. Headquartered in Moncton, ACOA offers a broad range of programs and services designed to help entrepreneurs throughout all stages of the business life cycle. The agency offers direct financial assistance to commercial enterprises and also provides indirect assistance by funding non-commercial support organizations to provide services to small businesses.