Jobs and Economic Growth
Summary
- Two Kootenay businesses are receiving nearly $700,000 to expand operations and hire more people
- These investments strengthen advanced manufacturing in the region, and are leading to $6.4 million in total capital investment
- These efforts support B.C.’s Look West Strategy by growing good local jobs, strengthening regional supply chains and creating new economic opportunities
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Two Kootenay businesses will be able to produce more of what they make and hire more people, with new provincial support through B.C.’s Look West Strategy.
“Supporting homegrown businesses helps create good jobs 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, modernize and pursue new opportunities. 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.”
As part of the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund, the Government of B.C. is providing nearly $700,000 to support the growth of Cranbrook’s Applied Compression Systems and Mountain Munchies in Nelson.
These investments are supporting local businesses to grow, reach new markets and customers, and hire more people in the Kootenays, and are leading to a total of $6.4 million in total capital investment.
More B.C. products lead to more B.C. jobs
Applied Compression Systems, a growing manufacturer of custom compression systems used in renewable energy, biogas and a wide range of industrial applications, is receiving as much as $550,000 to retrofit a new facility and purchase new equipment. This investment will expand the company’s production capacity, help hire three employees in the near term, and create an additional 13 jobs over the next three years.
This will help the company meet growing demand for equipment used in clean-energy projects, strengthening provincial supply chains and ensuring more B.C.- made products are used in the projects that are driving economic growth throughout B.C. and across Canada.
Mountain Munchies, which produces shelf-stable, dehydrated cheese snacks, is receiving as much as $127,000 to build a new facility, grow its production and expand the distribution of its products throughout Canada, while hiring two more people in Nelson.
“Local manufacturers play an important role in creating good jobs and supporting economic growth in the Kootenays,” said Brittny Anderson, MLA for Kootenay Central. “This support helps businesses expand production, invest in innovation and compete for new opportunities, while keeping value-added work in the region. These investments contribute to long-term economic stability and a stronger regional economy.”
Driving major investment and economic growth in B.C.
The BC 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 more than 150 capital projects funded through the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund, with as much as $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 BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund is expected to generate $17 billion in new economic activity, add nearly $7 billion to B.C.’s gross domestic product, and contribute almost $715 million in provincial revenue.
This work is part of the Province’s Look West Strategy 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.
It includes delivering major projects quicker, diversifying markets and growing targeted sectors, such as technology, aerospace, marine, AI and Quantum, life sciences, agriculture and construction innovation.
Quotes:
Bruce Burgener, president and CEO, Mountain Munchies Inc. –
“We’re incredibly grateful to the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund for supporting our new facility in Nelson. This investment wouldn't have been possible for us without funding from the B.C. government. It helps us grow, create good local jobs and continue building something meaningful in our community. We truly appreciate the Province’s support in helping us take this next step.”
Mike Sanderman, president and owner, Applied Compression Systems –
“We are grateful for the support provided by the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund. This timely assistance is playing a key role in the expansion and modernization of our operations here in Cranbrook. By consolidating our operations at a single location in 2026, we look forward to streamlining our workflow and increasing project throughput, enabling us to better support a growing number of clients across clean energy, traditional energy and emerging alternative-energy sectors.”
Learn More:
- To learn about the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund, including a list of recipients, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/economic-development/support-organizations-community-partners/rural-economic-development/manufacturing-jobs-fund
- To learn more about Look West: Jobs and Prosperity for a Stronger BC and Canada, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/LookWest
