Investment of Nearly $30 Million by Local Manufacturers Will Protect and Create 413 Jobs
News from the Constituency Office of Niagara West Conservative MPP Sam Oosterhoff
Posted September 30th, 2026 on Niagara At Large
ST.CATHARINES – The Ontario government is investing $6,712,838 through the Ontario Together Trade Fund to help four local manufactures in Niagara increase resilience, build capacity and re-shore critical supply chains to Ontario.
Through this investment, the local businesses are investing a total of $29,728,253 to expand capacity, improve efficiency, adopt new technologies and enhance competitiveness. These investments will create forty-eight new, good-paying jobs and protect 365 existing positions across Niagara.
“Through the Ontario Together Trade Fund, our government is stepping up for the businesses in our community who have been directly affected by American tariffs,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.
“This provincial investment will help these local manufacturers in Niagara adapt, stay competitive and continue creating good jobs in uncertain times, while helping make Ontario’s economy more competitive, resilient and self-reliant.”
First announced as part of the 2025 Ontario Budget, the Ontario Together Trade Fund is part of the province’s nearly $30 billion tariff relief and support plan, dedicated to protecting the province’s workers and businesses from economic uncertainty and building a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy.
With a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises, the program will help businesses across a diverse range of sectors make the necessary investments to strengthen operations in Ontario, expand market reach and protect workers.
Recipients of the Ontario Together Trade Fund in Niagara include:
- Agri-Plastics Group of Companies in Grassie, which is investing $5,626,318 to expand their facility and purchase new rotational molding equipment. Their investment is being supported with $1,125,264 through the Ontario Together Trade Fund, creating seven new jobs and protecting seventy-one existing positions.
- FBT Innovative Technologies in St. Catharines, which is investing $9,544,000 to expand their facility and purchase new metalworking machinery. Their investment is being supported with $954,400 through the Ontario Together Trade Fund, creating twenty new jobs and protecting seventy-nine existing positions.
- CMI Heavy Industries in Stevensville, which is investing $5,950,000 to purchase a new boring mill. Their investment is being supported with $1,190,000 through the Ontario Together Trade Fund, creating ten new jobs and protecting sixty-three existing positions.
- Valbruna ASW in Welland, which is investing $8,607,935 to purchase new steelmaking equipment and upgrade technologies to further diversify within the domestic market. Their investment is being supported with $3,443,174 through the Ontario Together Trade Fund, creating eleven new jobs and protecting 152 existing positions.
“As American tariffs continue to threaten Ontario’s critical industries, our government remains focused on ensuring our businesses have the resources needed to adapt and expand,” said Hon. Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.
Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West, joins Mat Siscoe, Mayor of the City of St. Catharines, along with Rob Forstinger, President of FBT Innovative Technologies, and Evan Forstinger, Technical Sales Representative at FBT Innovative Technologies, at the expanded advanced manufacturing facility of FBT in St. Catharines.
“By investing in these key businesses in Niagara through the Ontario Together Trade Fund, we are taking decisive action to enhance the competitiveness of our economy and increasing opportunities for Ontario businesses and workers, now and for generations to come.”
“With over eighty years of continuous operation as an advanced manufacturer in St. Catharines, this funding through the Ontario Together Trade Fund will support our company in protecting and creating jobs right across Niagara,” said Rob Forstinger, President of FBT Innovative Technologies.
“This investment by the province will help us strengthen capacity, local supply chains and expand our market reach.”
“Valbruna ASW has continually demonstrated a strong commitment to its employees and the community through a series of significant investments,” said Tiziano Briozzo, General Manager of Valbruna ASW.
“We are very appreciative of the Ontario government’s support through the Ontario Together Trade Fund. This investment will secure local jobs and position Valbruna ASW well to support the expansion of its unique specialty steel making capabilities for Ontario and Canada.”
“Support through the Ontario Together Trade Fund will mitigate the impact of American tariffs and enables near-term investments that will re-shore essential supply chains here in Ontario,” said Jordan Sherlock, Executive Director of the Niagara Industrial Association.
“The Ontario government is helping create the conditions for businesses to invest, expand and grow in Niagara,” said Mishka Balsom, Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce.
“At a time of considerable economic uncertainty, this announcement is a welcome reminder that growth, investment and opportunity are still happening in our region.”
As Ontario continues to navigate the impact of American tariffs and global economic uncertainty, the government remains focused on delivering critical funding, cutting red tape, unleashing the economy and supporting workers.
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