MPP Holland at a NOHFC funding announcement in the KBM Hangar at the Thunder Bay Airport - (CJ Goater/Acadia Broadcasting)
Two Thunder Bay businesses are improving and expanding operations through a provincial investment.
A total of $366,428 is coming to the organizations through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation.
KBM Forestry Consultants is receiving $340,764 for hangar expansions and to hire new staff.
The organization has been providing services to the natural resources development industry for over 40 years, including aerial surveys and flight services in northwestern Ontario and Saskatchewan.
They also provide maintenance for small aircraft.
Embark Port Services Ltd. is receiving $25,664 to enhance embark and disembark services for cruise passengers visiting the city, and to hire new staff.
The service provides, sightseeing tours and check-in to disembarking services for the cruise ships, as well as transportation to or from Thunder Bay’s airport.
The new staff will be providing bilingual services when passengers disembark or are on tours.
With the grant, the organization is also moving its check-in and disembarking services to the dock in a mobile office.
This will also allow them to facilitate tours right at the cruise ship location.
In 2024, 17 cruise ships visited the city helping boost the city’s tourism sector.
Of the 17 ships, five were turn-around cruises, meaning that hundreds of passengers either embarked or disembarked on their cruises in Thunder Bay.
“This support will strengthen their operations and create well-paying jobs here in Northwestern Ontario, contributing to the ongoing growth and success of our region,” said the MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan, Kevin Holland. “Since June of 2018, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation has invested more than $127 million in over 1400 projects in the Thunder Bay region, leveraging more than $270 million in investment in creating or sustaining over 1800 jobs.”
