$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.