Dozens of new manufacturing jobs are expected to come to Abbotsford in the near future thanks to the more than $2 million contribution from the provincial government.
This funding is part of a $145 million package for manufacturing company projects throughout B.C., which is expected to create more than 1,700 new jobs and protect hundreds of existing ones.
A total of 60 of these jobs will be in Abbotsford, with three local companies receiving $2,075,000 of this provincial funding.
The biggest chunk of local funding is to Columbia Kitchen Cabinets, which received $1.1 million from the B.C. government in order to purchase new automated equipment and expand its current facility.
According to the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, the custom cabinetry and kitchen products manufacturer will also use this money to introduce four new product lines and create 48 new jobs.
Abbotsford custom window and door manufacturer, Dynamic Windows and Doors, received $755,000 from the province and will use this funding to also buy new automated equipment, leading to the creation of four new jobs.
The third Abbotsford company to get some of this funding is Tiger Tool International, which produces tools and equipment for the automotive and industrial sectors.
Tiger Tool International will put its $220,000 in funding toward purchasing two CNC machines that will allow the company to produce products with higher precision and also introduce three new jobs.
Diane Gibson, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, said that investing in these kinds of projects strengthens the province's job market, especially amongst ongoing concerns over tariffs imposed by the U.S.
"B.C. is protecting services and defending people’s jobs and the economy," Gibson said.
"Growing a stronger and more diverse economy will help protect people in B.C. from instability outside our borders, with investments that will bring good-paying jobs to the province in robust and sustainable industries."
