Six new businesses opening in the region

Nipissing MPP Monique Smith
News Release

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Entrepreneurs in the North Bay region are starting six new businesses and creating 12 new jobs.

Through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), Ontario is supporting the launch of six new businesses, including three small retail stores, an aesthetics and wellness service, a music lessons provider, and a new café and art gallery.

Ontario is investing $142,975 in these six projects through the NOHFC’s Young Entrepreneur Program and Northern Ontario Entrepreneur Program.

Five of these ventures are being supported through the Young Entrepreneur Program:

$25,000 to Cribz Furniture, ­a retail children’s furniture store in Callander, creating one job;

$25,000 to Kelly Natural Healthcare,­ a homeopathy and holistic nutrition business in North Bay, creating one job;

$25,000 to Creator’s Edge, ­a craft supply store in North Bay, creating one job;

$25,000 to Pure Envy ­to open a beauty salon and spa in North Bay, creating two jobs; and

$20,400 to J. Brooks Academy of Music to provide music, vocal and piano lessons in North Bay­, creating one job.

One venture is receiving support through the Northern Ontario Entrepreneur Program:

En Bas / Downstairs Café is receiving $22,575 to establish a café with an art gallery on Main Street in North Bay. The café is creating six new jobs.

Support for these initiatives is part of the government's five-year Open Ontario plan to create jobs and economic opportunities in Northern Ontario.

“These are important investments that are creating jobs for young entrepreneurs in our region and further diversifying our economy,” said Monique Smith, MPP for Nipissing.  “Supporting these young people as they build their businesses shows our commitment to keeping them in the north and it is a vital component in fostering long-term prosperity for our region."

“By investing in the start-up of these businesses, we are helping northerners take advantage of new opportunities that will foster economic growth and job creation in the North,” said Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry and Chair of the NOHFC.

QUICK FACTS
In the 2011 Ontario Budget, Turning The Corner To A Better Tomorrow, released last month, the government committed a $10-million increase for a total of $100 million to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund in 2011-12.

More information about the Young Entrepreneur Program and the Northern Ontario Entrepreneur Program is available at the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry’s website at http://www.mndmf.gov.on.ca/nohfc/programs/default_e.asp .

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