Heddle Shipyards, the largest ship repair and construction company on the Great Lakes, is investing more than $107 million to tackle complex Vessel Life Extension (VLE) projects at it’s Port Weller Dry Docks in St. Catharines and the Ontario government will contribute more than $3.4 million.
VLEs are designed to significantly extend the life of marine vessels. With its $107 million investment, Heddle will implement the processes, engineering, training and equipment needed for VLE projects, including on-the-job training for skilled trades and support staff, automated manufacturing technologies and the use of 3D scanning for manufacturing projects. The investment will create 30 new, good-paying jobs in the region.
As part of this investment, the Ontario government is providing Heddle with over $3.4 million through the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness stream of its Regional Development Program. Through this program, Ontario is investing $140 million to help companies like Heddle grow.
These kinds of Investments and partnerships will allow Ontario to once again be a frontrunner in the Canadian shipbuilding and support hundreds of high-paying skilled-trade jobs in St. Catharines, Niagara and other communities across the province.
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