Ontario Announces Over $5 Million for Forestry Upgrades and Bridge Repairs in Northeast Ontario
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources announced on September 22 that more than $5 million in provincial funding will go to forestry sector projects and infrastructure repairs in Northeast Ontario. According to the Ministry, the funding is for technology upgrades at EACOM’s wood products mill and repairs to the Wenebegon River bridge north of Thessalon.
According to the Ministry, $5 million under the Forest Biomass Program’s Innovative Bioproduct Manufacturing stream is allocated to EACOM, a wood products manufacturer, to install artificial intelligence-based screening equipment and related technology. The Ministry reports this technology is projected to increase production capacity by 12 percent, reduce wood waste by 25 percent, and lower emissions by 21 percent at EACOM’s northern Ontario operations.
The Ministry stated that $475,000 is provided to Northshore Forest Inc. for repairs to the Wenebegon River bridge, located about 120 kilometres north of Thessalon. The Ministry describes the bridge as in regular use by forestry operators, residents, anglers, hunters, tourism operators, and emergency responders, with the repairs intended to maintain access for these groups.
Ministry figures indicate the Forest Biomass Program has committed close to $50 million for more than 55 projects across Ontario. The Ministry also reports Ontario’s forest sector generated $21.6 billion in revenue from manufactured goods and services in 2023 and supported over 128,000 direct and indirect jobs in 2024.
No start or completion dates for these projects were specified in the announcement.