THUNDER BAY – NOHFC Young Entrepreneur Program helps support business in Northwestern Ontario.

The NOHFC has invested $25,000 in Unveiled Bridal Boutique. This provincial support has allowed the owner of this retail wedding dress store to make leasehold improvements, to purchase furniture and fixtures, and to advertise her products and services.

NOHFC Young Entrepreneur Program

Shelby Ch’ng, the owner of Unveiled Bridal Boutique states, “The NOHFC Grant has assisted me in starting my boutique.  I feel that this grant has enabled me to really maximize my business longevity as start-up costs can be very high”. 

Unveiled Bridal Boutique has opened at 504 East Victoria Ave in the Fort William downtown core. Owner Shelby Ch’ng is offering dresses and style for the modern bride.

“The grant has matched my contributions and enabled me to fill a need in my community and revitalize a small part of Thunder Bay’s historic Fort William Business District –while bringing great customer service and boutique fashion to the city.”

“Through the province’s Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) Enterprises North Job Creation Program, our government is investing $300,000 in Nu-Tech Metal Sales & Services Ltd,” stated Bill Mauro, the MPP for Thunder Bay Atikokan. 

Nu-Tech Metal Sales & Services Ltd. is seeking to expand its existing fabrication shop in Thunder Bay.  The expansion project will involve the addition of a 1,000 sq. ft. fabrication bay to accommodate a new high-definition plasma table, as well as miscellaneous equipment and machinery.  The company is pursuing this expansion and increased square footage in order to increase its current customer base and pursue markets in western Canada.

“Nu-Tech Metals Sales & Service Ltd. would like to thank the NOHFC and Provincial Government for their support in our building expansion and equipment upgrading.  The equipment acquisition and upgrading plus the expansion of the fabrication area will increase our production capabilities, enabling us to be more competitive.  This will also assist in providing a better service to local industry, and attract new national and international markets which will, in turn, allow us to hire more staff, creating employment in the respective areas,” commented Bob Felbel, the President of Nu-Tech Metal Sales and Service Ltd.

NOHFC Entrepreneur Programming has also assisted Gollat Contracting Corporation. $81,925 has been invested in the new company. With this provincial government support, Gollat Contracting Corporation, a newly-established home-based construction and renovation business in Thunder Bay, has acquired needed equipment including a backhoe loader, and a compact excavator.

“The NOHFC Entrepreneur grant has presented Gollat Contracting Corp with the opportunity to become Northwestern Ontario’s next full-service general contracting company from the ground up.  With other value added services like demolition, landscaping, and site development, this grant has situated our company in the enviable position to offer our customers exceptional quality in a wider range of the building process,” said Adam Gollat, Owner, Gollat Contracting Corporation.

“By increasing the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund from $60 million to $100 million annually, we have an increased capacity to help northern businesses.  Our focus since 2005 has been to use the fund to create private sector employment, and today’s announcements are additional examples of success in doing just that!” enthused Bill Mauro the MPP for Thunder Bay Atikokan.

Northern Ontario Heritage Fund

Can the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund help your business?

The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) offers seven funding programs designed to help municipalities, entrepreneurs and businesses build, expand and grow.