New funding for value-added wood producers and manufacturing businesses in the Kootenays will protect workforces and support strong communities. Specifically, the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund is investing nearly $500,000 into local businesses to help them innovate for the future.
“Strengthening rural, value-added businesses is critical to helping people live and work in the communities they love,” said Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. “That’s why we are supporting companies that add value to B.C. wood so they can continue to provide long-lasting, high-quality jobs for people in communities around B.C.”
Investing in Kootenay Innovation
As much as $400,000 will support a capital improvement project by Creston’s J.H. Huscroft Ltd., a value-added speciality manufacturer of glulam, trim, boarding and flooring. Consequently, the company will purchase and replace equipment that will boost productivity and capacity at its sawmill. This move protects 75 jobs and expands the types of logs that can be processed.
“With our investment into a new sawmill sort line, we will be able to increase our sorting capability by three times to produce a wider range of specialty products and allow us to run multiple species at once,” said Justin Storm, president and general manager, J.H. Huscroft Ltd. “This will help maintain our current and potentially new specialty-product markets.”
He added, “The funding from the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund will allow us to complete the project in a timelier manner and shows a commitment to the value-added forest-product industry in British Columbia.”
Supporting Sustainable Technology
Funding will also support key sustainability projects in the region:
- KC Recycling (Trail): Receiving as much as $50,000 for a technical and operational assessment. They aim to establish a facility and recycling system to separate materials in large lead acid batteries for re-use.
- ABC3D (Trail): Receiving as much as $40,000 to examine expansion possibilities. This includes potential new equipment to better process agricultural, forestry, and plastic waste to upcycle into higher value products.
The BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund supports for-profit organizations to plan and launch shovel-ready, high-value industrial projects. Ultimately, these projects bring direct benefits and stable, family-supporting jobs to communities while driving clean and inclusive growth throughout the province.
Leadership Perspectives
Darrel Fry, CEO, ABC3D:
“This initiative helps future proof rural Kootenay communities through circular economy solutions. The funds received play a critical role in positioning B.C. as a leader in the mission to address the plastic challenge by upcycling recycled plastics with bio-additives from the forest industry.”
Katrine Conroy, MLA for Kootenay West:
“Value-added manufacturing is critical to West Kootenay economies and the people who live and work here. By supporting local businesses innovate, this helps protect their workforce. We are helping build stronger communities.”
Pete Stamper, CEO, KC Recycling:
“With support from the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund, KC Recycling has solidified its expansion plans to double capacity over the next five years. Located in rural Trail, our team of 75 manufactures high-grade battery metals and plastic from 100% recycled resources as part of the Western Canada battery hub.”
Quick Facts
- J.H. Huscroft Ltd. has manufactured a wide variety of softwood products since 1927, including boards and specialty products such as panelling and flooring.
- KC Recycling has been recycling lead acid batteries for more than 45 years. They have grown to become the largest lead acid automotive battery recycler in Western Canada.
- ABC3D looks to produce sustainable bioplastics that are carbon negative, non-toxic, and biodegradable with engineered-grade quality.
Learn More:
To learn about the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund, visit: gov.bc.ca/ManufacturingJobsFund
To learn about the StrongerBC Economic Plan, visit: strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/plan
ABC3D Media Contact:
Nivedita Narayan
ABC3D Communications
info@abc3d.ca