Summary

• Kelowna’s Farming Karma has doubled beverage production and hired 20 more people to date with provincial support toward their capital expansion
• Four more southern Interior manufacturing businesses are receiving $6.75 million to expand their production of made-in-B.C. products and create 101 more jobs
• Funding is through the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund and a result of B.C.’s Look West plan to grow good local jobs, strengthen regional supply chains and create new economic opportunities

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Four more southern Interior manufacturing businesses are receiving $6.75 million in government funding to expand their production of made-in-B.C. products and create 101 more jobs.

Another business, Kelowna’s Farming Karma, which uses locally sourced fruit to make canned beverages, has doubled its production and hired 20 more people, while giving more British Columbians another B.C. product, with support from government.

“More Canadians than ever want to buy products that support home-grown B.C. businesses,” said Premier David Eby. “By working with local producers, we can help them scale up and meet that demand. Through our Look West plan, we are helping B.C. businesses grow, produce more of what makes them great, reach more customers and create good sustainable jobs for people throughout the province.”

Farming Karma received $2 million for its expansion through the Province’s BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund, which supported the company to buy new manufacturing equipment to bring some processing in-house, increase production and grow its product lines, leading to new partnerships with major buyers like Walmart and Costco. The company will continue to hire another dozen people over the coming months and increase the distribution of their fruit beverages across Canada.

“The support from the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund has enabled us to accelerate the growth of our farm-to-table manufacturing operation and meet the increasing demand for locally made products,” said Avi Gill, CEO and co-founder of Farming Karma Fruit Co. “As a family-owned business, we are proud to deliver high-quality, made-in-B.C. beverages to customers across the country, while significantly reducing waste by upcycling imperfect fruit. This investment has allowed us to expand our product offerings, more than double our production, access new markets and create meaningful local jobs.”

More businesses receiving support to grow, hire

Building on this success, the Province is providing nearly $7 million more through the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund to help four additional businesses in the southern Interior expand and create 101 new jobs, leading to more than $60 million in capital investment in the region.

• Mako Wood Furniture, a furniture producer in Surrey, is receiving up to $5.5 million to build a new facility in Merritt, while retaining its Surrey operations, creating 29 jobs.
• Good Way Homes, a prefabricated home builder, is receiving $625,000 to build a new manufacturing facility in Malakwa and buy equipment that will help increase production and create 27 new jobs.
• Dinoflex Group, which uses recycled rubber to make flooring and tiles, is receiving $410,000 to upgrade its Salmon Arm facility and increase its production to reach more customers throughout North America, creating seven new jobs.
• Kinetic Custom Trailers, which manufactures heavy-duty industrial trailers in Penticton, is receiving $216,000 to expand operation into an additional facility, increasing production and efficiency along with 38 new jobs.

“Supporting local food processing and advanced manufacturing helps create good jobs, increases resiliency and drives innovation,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth. “That’s why our government continues to make investments that help companies grow and provide innovative solutions to real-world problems, while offering greater choice and lower costs for consumers. This is another way that our Look West Strategy is growing the economy and supporting long-term prosperity for people and businesses throughout British Columbia.”

Manufacturing Jobs Fund driving major investment, economic growth in B.C.

The B.C. Manufacturing Jobs Fund supports high-value industrial projects in all regions of the province, helping companies modernize, grow and create stable, family-supporting jobs.

More than $1.2 billion is being invested in the 156 capital projects funded through the fund, with up to $154 million in provincial funding committed so far, creating more than 2,100 jobs and protecting more than 2,700 jobs.

During the construction phase of these projects, and in their first few years of expanded operations, the fund is expected to generate $17 billion in new economic activity, nearly $7 billion to B.C.’s gross domestic product, and $714 million in provincial revenue.

This is part of the Province’s Look West plan for jobs and industry, which outlines B.C.’s vision to deliver jobs and opportunities for people by strengthening the workforce to develop a more independent and resilient economy.

This includes delivering major projects quicker, diversifying markets and growing targeted sectors, such as technology, aerospace, marine, artificial intelligence and Quantum, life sciences, agriculture and construction innovation.

Quotes:

Harjit Jassal, CEO, Mako Wood Furniture –

“As a business proudly serving for 22 years, and currently employing 100 dedicated workers, this provincial support will enable us to highlight British Columbia's dedication to uplifting small businesses. This initiative is pivotal for enhancing community well-being and driving economic growth in Merritt. It represents a significant step toward creating a more resilient future, delivering tangible benefits and positive change for residents across British Columbia.”

Tim Libby, president, Kinetic Custom Trailers Ltd. –

“Support from the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund is helping Kinetic Custom Trailers grow in Penticton, create skilled manufacturing jobs in the Okanagan, and expand our ability to serve customers across Canada and the U.S. This investment strengthens our capacity, improves efficiency and supports Kinetic’s continued growth as a B.C. manufacturer of custom trailers.”

Mark Bunz, CEO, Dinoflex –

“This funding helps accelerate our adoption of state-of-the-art automation and increased production capacity. It enables Dinoflex to meet demand across global markets, create skilled jobs for a more diverse workforce in Salmon Arm, and lead in sustainable manufacturing. We are proud to continue investing in innovation, safety, and efficiency right here in British Columbia.”

Logan Ashley, CEO, Good Way Homes –

"This support from the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund is a game-changer for Good Way Homes. It will allow us to triple our production of net-zero ready prefabricated homes and create well-paying, skilled jobs that will meaningfully impact the Revelstoke, B.C. economy."

Learn More:

To learn more about the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund, including a list of recipients, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/ManufacturingJobsFund

To learn more about Look West: Jobs and Prosperity for BC and Canada, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/LookWest