A major Agassiz business is one of four Fraser Valley businesses benefitting from government investment in manufacturing.
The province recently announced the B.C. Manufacturing Jobs Fund, a $1.3 million investment in four projects across the Fraser Valley, including Agassiz’s own wood manufacturer PowerWood.
PowerWood will received as much as $50,000 to complete business planning, technical drawings and an engineering plan for a future thermal modification facility. The new facility would significantly boost PowerWood’s production capacity of specialty wood products, including siding, paneling and trim. The province estimated the project could potentially create 44 jobs.
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“PowerWood is very supportive of the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund and grateful to be selected as a recipient,” said president and managing director Jake Power in a statement. “We are using the funds to prepare a business case to demonstrate projected costs and benefits of a capital investment in our Agassiz plant. It is giving us the tools we need to partner with the surrounding community and First Nations to build more sustainable, value-added operations in the District of Kent.”
Chilliwack-Kent MLA Kelli Paddon stated value-added manufacturing jobs were crucial to not only creating a more diverse economy in the area but also one that is more sustainable.
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“Support from the B.C. Manufacturing Jobs Fund is helping businesses like PowerWood create good, well-paying jobs in our communities,” Paddon stated.
The B.C. Manufacturing Jobs Fund also benefits Dynamic Windows and Doors in Abbotsford ($755,000), Tiger Tool International in Abbotsford ($220,000) and Western Wood Preservers in Aldergrove ($300,000).
PowerWood is located at 1825 Tower Road in Agassiz.