Ontario is providing the Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corporation (SSMADC) with $1 million in funding for the next phase of the airport expansion, announced David Orazietti MPP today.
“The airport plays a crucial part in our city’s economy and this new expansion will create the opportunity for an additional airline carrier and more business to flow through Sault Ste. Marie,” said Orazietti. “This funding represents our government’s commitment to strengthening our city and ensuring we have the modern infrastructure we need to continue to grow and develop.”
The SSMADC will be receiving the funding through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to accommodate further expansion work at the airport. The project will expand and realign the terminal area to make room for additional airline services, passenger amenities and more office space for carriers, both domestically and internationally.
This funding will allow the airport to enter a new phase of expansion by increasing space for passengers, adding four new airline counters and creating office space for a new airline carrier. In addition to the jobs created by the expansion, the project is expected to create an additional 6 full-time employment opportunities at the airport once completed.
“The Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corporation is very grateful to the NOHFC for providing funding for this much needed expansion of the Sault Ste. Marie Airport terminal,” said Terry Bos, CEO of the SSMADC. “The recently completed business and land use master plan identified the passenger screening hold room as one of the major deficiencies at the airport. This expansion will meet the need for increased passenger space, improve the screening area and also increase amenities like additional washrooms, food and drink stations, and additional ticket counter space. Without the funding assistance from NOHFC such improvements could not be possible.”
The current airport facility already services four airline companies: three domestic airlines (Bearskin Airlines, Air Canada Express and Porter Airlines) and one international airline (Sunwing Airlines).
QUICK FACTS
- Since 2003, the NOHFC has invested $980 million in more than 6,450 projects in Northern Ontario, creating or sustaining nearly 24,650 jobs.
- In Sault Ste. Marie, the NOHFC has invested $90 million in 781 projects, creating or sustaining more than 2,759 jobs, since 2003.
- The NOHFC’s investments in economic development are an important part of the Ontario government’s Growth Plan for Northern Ontario. A strong northern economy will give the people of Ontario more opportunities for jobs and economic prosperity.
Some of the key NOHFC investments in Sault Ste. Marie since 2003 include:
· $5 million Agawa Canyon Tour Train
- $3.4 million for the Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corporation
- $2.5 million Heliene Solar Manufacturing Plant
- $2.3 million for Algoma University Biosciences and Technology Building ($10.3 million total provincial investment)
- $2.1 million Flakeboard Ltd. Expansion
- $2 million Sault College – IT Infrastructure, Multi-Media Centre, Wind Energy Training Centre
- $1.6 million Hub Trail & Waterfront Walkway Expansion ($3.1 million total provincial investment)
- $1.5 million Northern Community Centre ($6.2 million total provincial investment)
- $1.5 million for Sault College Academic Building ($9.5 million total provincial investment)
- $1.5 million Huron Central Rail upgrades ($16.5 million total provincial investment)
- $1 million SSM Innovation Centre and Canadian Bank Note for e-gaming initiative
- $1 million Triple M Metal
- $1 million Heritage Discovery Centre
- $1 million Essar Centre ($4.7 million total provincial investment)
- $1 million Algoma Public Health building – Technology ($9.3 million total provincial investment)
- $1 million City – Emergency Response Centre (EMS) ($2.2 million total provincial investment)
- $1 million SIS Manufacturing to upgrade equipment and infrastructure
- $785,500 Palmer Construction Group Inc.
- $738,200 for Rector Machine Works infrastructure and equipment upgrades
- $550,000 Group Health Centre office expansion
- $475,000 Soo Foundry & Machine equipment upgrade
- $202,750 China Steel equipment upgrades
Dan Stark about time!!
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