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Ontario invests $3.2M in Columbia Forest Products’ Hearst mill

The Ontario government announced it is supporting the expansion of Columbia Forest Products’ plywood mill in Hearst, Ont., by investing $3.2 million over five years. According to a government news release, this will help create and retain approximately 350 jobs and will boost economic growth in Hearst and Rutherglen, Ont.

“The continued support of the Ontario government, our local community, and our workers has enabled this mill to become a leading, top-quartile manufacturing facility,” said Gilles Levesque, director for Canadian Operations for Columbia Forest Products, in statement. “We are encouraged by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry initiative to develop a forestry strategy with a goal to increase reliable, sustainable and economic wood supply.”

“The modernization and enhancement of our Hearst production is progressing very well with the purchase and installation of state-of-the-art equipment, including a Meinan Composer and next generation Raute Patching Technology,” Levesque added. “To date, the expansion project has created 30 new full-time positions at the Hearst and Rutherglen mills.”