Province backs Rideau Lakes manufacturing expansion with $665K investment
A Rideau Lakes manufacturing company is set to expand its operations with provincial funding aimed at strengthening domestic supply chains and supporting rural jobs, while reducing reliance on U.S. markets amid ongoing tariff uncertainty.
The Ontario government says it is investing more than $600,00 to support a manufacturing expansion in eastern Ontario aimed at protecting local jobs and reducing reliance on U.S. markets amid ongoing tariff uncertainty.
The funding, shared by Steve Clark, Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Leeds – Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, will support a $3.3-million project by Arctic Acres to build a new 30,000-square-foot facility in Rideau Lakes Township.
Founded in 2019, Arctic Acres specializes in precision-engineered geodesic structures and advanced building materials.
The provincial investment of $665,533 is being delivered through the Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF), a provincial program introduced in 2025 and designed to help Ontario businesses adapt to unique economic pressures while strengthening domestic supply chains.
The new facility will produce a proprietary ventilated structural insulated panel as a standalone building material, allowing the company to expand into interprovincial markets.
According to MPP Clark, the project will create five new jobs and help protect nine existing positions within the rural municipality and is expected to strengthen the local economy.
“Arctic Acres’ investment is a major boost for our rural economy by creating and retaining good-paying jobs in Rideau Lakes Township,” said MPP Clark. “This is a local success story, and the funding will help the company adapt, remain competitive and open new markets as they continue to grow.”
Arctic Acres CEO Ben Canning shared that producing modular building components in Ontario will allow the company to support infrastructure projects and create new opportunities for builders and communities across Canada.
“For us, this next chapter is about equipping and empowering builders, businesses, and communities with the tools to shape the future of Canadian infrastructure together,” said Canning.
The program focuses on small and medium-sized enterprises and supports investments such as facility upgrades, new equipment and product development to help companies expand markets and strengthen domestic manufacturing.
“As U.S. 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 Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “By investing in Arctic Acres 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.”
Since its start in 2025, the demand for the OTTF program has reportedly been strong, prompting an additional $100 million provincial investment that brings total funding for the initiative to $150 million over three years.