Windsor, Ontario - Jeff Watson, MP for Essex, today announced that Windsor Airport will receive an investment of more than $4 million through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).
"The future of Windsor-Essex is getting brighter as our government continues its historic investments in economic diversification," said Essex MP Jeff Watson. "This investment puts YQG and our region on the map for airline maintenance and repair operations and helps our aerospace supply chain grow in its competitiveness and that means much-need jobs and a secure future."
"Today's announcement is significant for our community and our region as it establishes Windsor Essex as a new and determined player in the MRO industry" said Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis. "This will help Windsor Essex attract jobs in a new and emerging sector in part thanks to our federal government."
"The establishment of a modern, efficient MRO facility to provide of maintenance, repair and overhaul services for aircraft, engines and components would be a major step for Windsor International Airport towards becoming a full-service airport," said Windsor Airport CEO and President Federica Nazzani. "Investments in underutilized and strategic assets will help to create economic opportunities in diversified sectors like MRO and aerospace manufacturing. This opportunity will provide substantial recognition to Windsor as an aerospace centre in North America and will leverage existing aerospace activity and expand the competitive advantages in manufacturing of the Region."
This project will create a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility (MRO) facility aimed at meeting the demands of air carriers, operators and aerospace manufacturers requiring extensive component and engine services to wide-ranging fleet support and carries the potential of becoming the nucleus of an expanding MRO or even Aerospace Cluster within Southern Ontario. This project would have a significant economic impact on the Windsor-Essex region by allowing for much needed funding to better position and leverage the region's key economic strengths and assets. Diversification into new geographic markets and new industry sectors will help to transition our community.
The project will be funded through the Community Adjustment Fund, a two-year, $1-billion national program aimed at addressing the short-term economic needs of communities hit hardest by the global economic recession. The approved project must meet the terms and conditions set out in the contribution agreement.
FedDev Ontario was created as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan to support economic and community development, innovation, and economic diversification, with contributions to communities, businesses and non-profit organizations in southern Ontario. To learn more about FedDev Ontario and the Community Adjustment Fund, please visit the web site at
www.feddevontario.gc.ca, or call 1-866-593-5505 . For additional information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit
www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For more information, contact:
Aaron Jahn
Special Assistant
Office of Jeff Watson, MP
519-562-7379
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