October 11, 2018 - Timmins Economic Development Corporation (TEDC)

Media Release
October 1, 2018
For immediate release

The latest issue of Working Together, a local labour market plan created by the Far Northeast Training Board (FNETB), states that 76.9% of employers in our region are experiencing staffing issues.

As a result, some firms are halting plans for expansion and restructuring due to increasing employee turnover rates and a lack of applicants. “If you take a walk throughout the business sections of the city or browse online career pages, you’ll notice endless help wanted ads and job postings,” said Julie Joncas, executive director of the FNETB.

To address these issues, the TEDC, the Employers Council and other partners are launching the Employer Recruitment and Retention Strategies Project, funded by the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC). Jessica West, the project coordinator, will undertake outreach activities and work one-on-one with employers to develop best practices for recruitment and retention.

Mike Resetar, co-chair of the Employers Council said, “This project encourages sustainable growth in our city by reinforcing that fact that Timmins is an attractive place to work and live.” Reports, fact sheets and presentations will be available to help businesses strengthen and retain their workforce and encourage future expansions.

Project partners include:

NOHFC
FNETB
Employers Council
Timmins Chamber of Commerce
Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board
Northern College
Collège Boréal
Timmins And District Hospital
Clearlogic Consulting Professionals

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For more information, contact Kelsey Luxton, communications coordinator, at kelsey.luxton@timmins.ca or (705) 360-2600 x 7083.

About the NOHFC

The NOHFC is a non-profit organization that promotes and stimulates economic development initiatives in Northern Ontario by providing financial assistance to projects that stabilize, diversify and foster the economic growth and diversification of the region.

About the TEDC

The TEDC is the city’s non-proﬁt community economic development team. We facilitate and support economic and social activity that creates jobs, diversifies the economy and improves quality of life.

Media Release
Thursday, October 11, 2018
For immediate release

Certarus, a fast growing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) company with strong roots in Western Canada, is moving forward with a $54M multi-site investment in Northern Ontario to service off-grid industrial clients. This expansion into the Ontario market will see new hubs developed in both Timmins and Red Rock and will work to provide mines and mills with the option of a cleaner, more affordable alternative to diesel and propane for heat and power generation.

In addition to the initial capital investment in the region, the new hubs will create 10-15 jobs during the construction phase, 41 permanent full time jobs (25 in Timmins, 16 in Red Rock) as well as 5-10 seasonal jobs during peak seasons once they operate at full capacity. Annual payroll for both sites, once fully operational, is expected to be in the area of $3M.

“We are excited to be expanding into Ontario with our first CNG hub on Highway 101 East in Timmins. The mining and forestry sectors will provide a diversified client base for Certarus and allow us to continue to grow. We are seeing an increasing adoption of CNG to displace diesel, propane and bunker oil to promote cost savings and reduce environmental footprints. Certarus operates the largest bulk CNG trailer fleet in North America and has built over 15 bulk CNG compression facilities across North America.” said Nathan Ough, Vice President of Certarus. “The Timmins Economic Development Corporation provided invaluable assistance in understanding the industrial sectors and connecting us with the resources we needed to establish our hub in Timmins.”

The Timmins Economic Development Corporation worked with Certarus as they explored market opportunities in the region and completed their site selection process. Of the new planned development, Fred Gibbons, Chair of the Timmins Economic Development Corporation Board, said “We’re glad to see this investment in Timmins and we’re looking forward to seeing how this service can help improve operations and reduce the environmental footprint of our mines and mills.”

For users who experience brownouts and blackouts from unreliable electricity supplies, onsite CNG allows for continuous operations. Certarus will provide a service that will assist in increasing client productivity, reduce operating costs, and keep more jobs in Northern Ontario by potentially extending mine and mill life.

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For more information, please contact Kelsey Luxton, Communications Coordinator at kelsey.luxton@timmins.ca or (705) 360-2600 x 7083.

About the TEDC

The TEDC is the city’s non-profit community economic development team. We facilitate and support economic and social activity that creates jobs, diversifies the economy and improves quality of life.

About Certarus

Certarus is a leader in providing a fully integrated compressed natural gas (CNG) solution for the North American commercial and industrial markets. Our primary business is the creation of a “Virtual Natural Gas Pipeline” through the compression, transportation and integration of CNG for the energy services, mining, forestry and industrial sectors. Our solutions target diesel and propane fuel displacement projects to lower operating costs and reduce environmental impact. Certarus is focused on providing cost effective solutions by utilizing abundant low cost North American natural gas.

Divisions of the TEDC