North Bay start-up One Red Maple will put a $916,298 FedNor grant to good use, creating up to 10 jobs immediately and potentially 340 more over the next five years.
The grant will help develop and launch an online platform to help small businesses enhance their digital presence and increase sales.
One Red Maple gives customers an easy and efficient way to shop locally while they continue shopping on their normal online shopping sites.
"Harnessing the power of the shop-local movement, the One Red Maple App will provide pop-up notifications that redirect consumers to local stores offering the same products as major online retailers," says a FedNor news release. "The platform uses Artificial Intelligence to identify inventory, match products or provide suggestions for similar items if an exact match can’t be found locally."
The platform currently features businesses from North Bay and will soon be expanded to include companies from across northern Ontario and Canada. Once fully implemented, this strategic initiative will help increase the competitiveness of small businesses throughout the region"
See: App designed locally aims to shift sales from big corporate retailers to small independent ones
“Our extension and app are simple to use and bring the shop-local movement to a whole new level," said Mark Sherry, President. "Red Maple is a catalyst for discovering local economies, creating relationships between online shoppers and their local, northern Ontario’s/Canadian retailers.”
Another $500,000 will help Pilot Diamond Tools Ltd. modernize its manufacturing facilities and accelerate its transformation into a smart facility.
The company will purchase specialized equipment designed to increase productivity and optimize manufacturing processes, resulting in more competitive pricing and increased revenues.
"The project includes implementing a new Enterprise Resource Planning system (including E-commerce), fabricating and supplying an Atmospheric Chamber Furnace, as well as the purchase and installation of a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) lathe in combination with a CNC waterjet machine," says the release. "Once complete, this priority project will help pave the way for sustainable growth, while creating nine full-time jobs and maintaining 19 more."
“Today’s announcement will support our transformation into a smart facility and further position Pilot Diamond Tools Ltd. as a leading manufacturer for the production of diamond products for the mining and construction industries,” stated Steve Perrin, Owner, Pilot Diamond Tools.
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These projects with One Red Maple and Pilot Diamond Tools Ltd. are great examples of how technology and innovation are helping northern Ontario entrepreneurs and firms capitalize on new opportunities, while supporting jobs, growth and a strong economy,” stated MP Anthony Rota.
The grants are funded through FedNor’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation Fund (REGI),
