NDP MLAs Susie Chant and Bowinn Ma say funding will create jobs and strengthen economy in North Vancouver
NORTH VANCOUVER – New Democrat MLAs Susie Chant and Bowinn Ma say funding for local agritech projects and training will create new jobs and strengthen the local economy in North Vancouver.
“Investing in agritech innovation is key to ensuring a sustainable, secure food supply while supporting local businesses and creating jobs,” says Susie Chant, MLA for North Vancouver – Seymour. “It’s always great to see awesome local companies like Foxy Produce highlighted, and I know they’re doing important work that’ll help food security here in North Vancouver.”
In North Vancouver, the B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation (BCCAI) is funding a $1.2 million project with Foxy Produce Ltd.
Foxy Produce Ltd. operates a produce store in North Vancouver and a farm in Aldergrove that will test an advanced air-insulated greenhouse that is expected to cut energy costs in half.
The Foxy Produce project’s technology will lead to the creation of approximately 62 jobs and is expected to lead to a 30 percent increase in revenue by creating fresh B.C. grown food for less energy.
“Emerging technology from the B.C. tech industry is enhancing how we work and live,” says Bowinn Ma, MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale. “The advanced green house that Foxy Produce is testing will reduce emissions while building more food security in B.C. This project is a strong example of how industries can work together to grow.”
Nineteen local projects and opportunities around BC are being supported by a $15.5 million combined investment from the province, B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation (BCCAI), and industry. Projects include helping companies scale up technology and work with B.C. farmers and agriculture experts to deliver more solutions and opportunities to strengthen the B.C. agricultural industry. These projects are expected to help upskill more than 800 people through new training, and lead to 194 new jobs, in addition to growth for businesses, producers, and processors.
This work is part of the StrongerBC Economic Action Plan that is helping address climate change while making the agriculture industry more sustainable and resilient, and these projects and training opportunities help fulfill these goals.