Backgrounder: Government of Canada provides over $1.6 million to spur innovation and economic growth in Kamloops
Today, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan), announced over $1.6 million in PacifiCan funding to help three Kamloops-based businesses and organizations grow.
The projects announced today are:
Axis Forestry Inc.
$978,175
PacifiCan funding will support the commercialization of Axis Forestry’s Rebel Hydraulic Tree Processor and Cypress Controller Software System, and optimization of its 16,000 square foot manufacturing facility. The Rebel Hydraulic Tree Processor attaches to the end of an excavator’s boom arm and fells trees, removes branches, and cuts wood into specific lengths for transport to the sawmill. The Cypress Controller Software System enables loggers to more accurately measure, cut and process logs and offers onboard diagnostics controlled via app. This innovation was developed by Axis Forestry’s engineering team in Kamloops and is the only tree processor manufactured in North America.
Kamloops Food Policy Council (KFPC) and Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Interior First Nations
$650,650
PacifiCan funding will help improve the local food supply chain in the Central Interior by funding the expansion of KFPC’s Kamloops food hub so that more farmers and entrepreneurs can use the facility for food preparation and packaging. This work includes expanding the reach of the local Kweseltken Kitchen – a mobile food processing trailer serving Indigenous farmers and remote communities. The funding will also support the creation of an online marketing platform and regional branding strategy that will help local farmers market their goods more efficiently.