$90 Million in Funding Available for manufacturing and industrial projects throughout bc.
Funding Overview
The BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund, a new initiative by the Government of B.C., will allocate up to $90 million over a period of three years to support high-value industrial and manufacturing projects. These projects aim to promote clean and inclusive growth in rural, remote and Indigenous communities. The BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund will assist established for-profit organizations in planning and implementing shovel-ready projects that will provide direct benefits and stable, family-sustaining employment opportunities to regional and Indigenous communities.
The program has two funding streams: Project Readiness and Capital Investment. The streams support different stages of planning and launching capital projects.
Program Goals
- Invest in high-value, high-growth manufacturing sectors
- Contribute to clean, inclusive growth and economic resilience in regional and Indigenous communities
- Support innovation and sustainability in the forestry value-added sector
- Create and maintain family-supporting jobs
- Help companies leverage other funding sources and bring investment into B.C.
- Boost productivity and competitiveness in domestic and international markets
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants for both streams are as follows:
- Businesses
- For-profit organizations
- Entities with for-profit manufacturing operations, including Indigenous and First Nation-owned enterprises
- Registered to do business in B.C.
- Operate in the manufacturing sector; i.e., create products using industrial or mass-production processes
- Have established operations (at the proposed project location or elsewhere)
- Have an established employee base
- Be in a viable financial position, for example:
- Not in foreclosure or for sale
- A business plan and financial records that show current or projected growth, profits, and/or ability to pay off short-term debts
- Paid taxes in the last fiscal year
Stream 1 - Project readiness
Small grants to complete final-stage business and project planning, including operational and technical assessments.
Grant Amount
- Maximum: $50,000
- Up to 50% of total eligible project costs
Eligible Activities
Eligible projects for this stream include:
- Developing a business case to expand operations or diversify product lines
- Conducting an operational or technical assessment to improve processes or introduce new technology
Stream 2 - Capital Investment
Larger grants to invest in new or renovated manufacturing infrastructure, technology, equipment, and processes, including renovating idle industrial buildings such as an unused mill site.
Grant Amount
- Minimum: $100,000
- Maximum: $10,000,000
- It is expected that the program will contribute an average of 20% of total eligible project costs
Eligible Activities
Eligible projects for this stream include:
- Building or expanding a manufacturing facility
- Upgrading equipment or machinery to support new product lines
- Adopting innovative processes to manufacture value-added forestry products from biomass or other alternatives
- Retrofitting a processing facility to expand or adopt new technology and processes
- Improvements of processes for fabrication
Important Dates
Open: February 28, 2023.
Deadline: February 28, 2025.
