Government of Canada invests $9.4 million to drive innovation and economic growth in Surrey
PacifiCan funding will help three local businesses expand operations, create quality jobs and reach new markets
October 25, 2024 – Surrey, British Columbia – PacifiCan
Surrey is one of British Columbia’s fastest growing cities, home to innovative businesses and ambitious entrepreneurs with exciting plans for the future. PacifiCan will soon open its headquarters in Surrey, expanding the agency’s presence and impact in this growing economic hub and the broader Mainland Southwest Region. PacifiCan is committed to partnering with businesses and community leaders in the Fraser Valley and across B.C. to realize their ambitions.
Today, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan), announced $9.4 million in PacifiCan funding to help three Surrey-based businesses grow locally and compete globally.
Minister Sajjan made the announcement while visiting Nanak Foods Inc., an innovative food manufacturer receiving $5 million in funding through PacifiCan’s Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) program. Nanak is North America’s largest and leading manufacturer of specialty dairy-based, South Asian-inspired foods. Nanak’s paneer cheese product incorporates whole milk from B.C. cows, benefiting local dairy farmers.
PacifiCan’s investment will allow the company to increase production of paneer cheese by expanding its operations with new equipment. The funding announced today will allow Nanak to scale-up locally, create jobs and accelerate global sales of its signature product.
Minister Sajjan also announced funding for two other Surrey-based businesses, one through PacifiCan’s BSP and the other through the Jobs and Growth Fund. Dr. Ma’s Laboratories, a natural health product manufacturer, is receiving over $3.1 million in funding to scale up operations and create new jobs. LED Smart is receiving over $1.2 million to continue to innovate in the design of its horticulture lighting system and increase production to meet global demand.
More details about the projects and companies receiving funding can be found in the backgrounder.
The investments announced today are expected to help create more than 190 jobs, grow the Surrey and regional economy, and bring more made-in-B.C. products to global markets.