THUNDER BAY – The Ontario government is providing more than $18.7 million through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to 24 economic development projects in Thunder Bay. This investment is building a stronger Ontario by creating good-paying jobs, supporting critical infrastructure and improving quality of life in the Northwest.

"As the largest city in Northwestern Ontario, Thunder Bay is a major economic hub, industrial centre and tourism destination,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry. “By investing in projects from varied sectors, our government is promoting a more diverse economy and supporting job creation in the community."

Projects receiving NOHFC funding include:

• $1.5 million for Confederation College to expand and modernize its aviation programs, including purchasing five trainer aircraft and two flight simulators, as well as renovating and upgrading the college’s Aviation Centre of Excellence located at the Thunder Bay International Airport

• $1.2 million for the City of Thunder Bay to further develop cruise ship docking infrastructure at the former Pool 6 grain elevator waterfront property adjacent to Prince Arthur’s Landing

• $477,375 for the Municipality of Oliver Paipoonge to build a car museum to house a collection of racing cars and automotive paraphernalia next to the Founders' Museum and Pioneer Village.

The NOHFC promotes economic prosperity across Northern Ontario by providing financial assistance to projects – big and small, rural and urban – that stimulate growth, job creation and skills development. Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $473 million in 4,244 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $1.5 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 6,600 jobs.