Ontario Welcomes $14.8 Million Investment to Create Good-Paying Manufacturing Jobs
August 15, 2022
The Ontario government is supporting an investment of more than $14.8 million by Greenlid to build a new manufacturing facility that will bring the company’s production to Ontario. To advance this project, the government is providing Greenlid with $500,000 in funding through the Regional Development Program’s Southwestern Ontario Development Fund.
“This investment from Greenlid is another vote of confidence in Ontario’s economy and shows there is no better place for business to grow and workers to thrive,” said Premier Doug Ford. “We are thrilled to support this ‘Made In Ontario’ success story and to see Greenlid’s entire supply chain return home again.”
Greenlid is an Ontario company that produces compostable products, primarily one-time-use items such as plates, bowls, coffee cups, and lids. Currently, its manufacturing is done in China. With this investment, Greenlid will build a 60,000 square foot facility in Dundalk and bring their production and supply chain back to Ontario. The new facility will include all the equipment necessary for the manufacturing of the company’s products, as well as capacity for ongoing research and innovation.
“Our government is proud to work with Greenlid to help bring their entire production back to our province as we continue to strengthen Ontario’s world-class manufacturing sector,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Investing in community-building projects like this create the conditions businesses need to invest and create jobs that will build a strong economy and vibrant communities. Greenlid’s investment and desire to bring their entire supply chain back to Ontario is a testament to the work we’re doing to make sure the world knows Ontario is Open for Business.”
As part of the government’s work to build the economy, Ontario is investing more than $100 million through the Regional Development Program from 2019 to 2023 to help meet regional needs. The program provides cost-shared funding to businesses, municipalities and economic development organizations to help attract investment, diversify their economies, and create jobs.
Since 2019, Ontario has invested $66 million in 60 companies and organizations, like Greenlid through the Regional Development Program. These investments have supported $716 million in investment from industry and created more than 1,200 jobs.
Quick Facts:
- •Founded in Toronto in 2014, Greenlid developed a patented compostable material as a replacement for plastic or biodegradable materials. This technology led to an investment through the television program Dragon’s Den where hopeful entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a panel of venture capitalists. Greenlid products are now sold in North America’s largest retailers.
- •The government launched the Regional Development Program for Eastern and Southwestern Ontario in November 2019. Businesses and municipalities can get financial support through the Eastern Ontario Development Fund and Southwestern Ontario Development Fund and guided access to a range of complementary services and supports.
- •The government recently launched the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness stream of the Regional Development Program. It will support Ontario advanced manufacturers to invest in the equipment, advanced technologies and skilled workforce needed to improve competitiveness and growth, and to create, retain and bring jobs back to every region of the province.
Quotes:
“Greenlid is excited to expand and build manufacturing operations in rural Ontario after rapid growth in the past several years. After its start on Dragons’ Den, Greenlid now supplies over 14,000 retail stores across North America with truly compostable product lines in the tableware and foodservice categories. Greenlid’s growth created an opportunity for Ice River Sustainable Solutions, Ontario’s leading recycler of Blue Box PET Plastic, to take a majority shareholder position and bring sustainable manufacturing expertise to Greenlid. With the additional support of the Ontario government for this project and local community, Greenlid’s state of the art Non-wood Fibre Manufacturing and Innovation Centre at Southgate EcoPark will now specialize in developing Ontario’s agricultural fibre waste into high value compostable products with less impact on the environment and further Ontario’s sustainability and economic development goals.”
– Morgan Wyatt
CEO, Greenlid
“Investments like these not only bring good-paying jobs into the community, but also stimulate the local economy. Ontario is one of the greatest places in the world to live, work and raise a family. Greenlid’s decision to move their manufacturing back home will have an impact for generations to come.”
– Sylvia Jones
MPP for Dufferin—Caledon
“It is very exciting to have this important investment by Greenlid, with support from our government, coming to Dundalk. This will bring jobs and economic growth to our Grey Bruce community and is a great example of our government’s focus on both the economy and the environment.”
– Rick Byers
MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound
“This significant investment demonstrates that small town, rural Ontario can provide the required infrastructure and supports to attract and sustain new manufacturing that will ultimately generate new, good jobs. Greenlid will truly be a made-in-Ontario success story.”
– Lisa Thompson
MPP for Huron—Bruce
Additional Resources
Learn more about the Regional Development Program
