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Forest Helicopters receives funding for hangar, equipment, job creation

The Ontario government is providing $340,000 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to Forest Helicopters Inc. to build a new 8,000-square-foot hangar in Kenora.

The government explains this investment will allowing Forest Helicopters to expand, purchase new aircraft and hire new staff.

“Encouraging economic growth and job creation in Northern Ontario is a key priority for our government,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry. “With this investment, Forest Helicopters Inc. can expand its business to continue offering services and meet new demand, benefitting industries across the region.”

Forest Helicopters provides services to multiple sectors and local governments across the North, including diamond drilling, powerline maintenance, fire suppression, wildlife services, airborne geophysics and precision aerial construction. NOHFC funding will be used towards capital construction and to purchase equipment and will create three jobs.

“Forest Helicopters is very pleased to have the support of our provincial government. Funds provided through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation will reinforce our ability to service the needs of our customers,” said Bart Stevensen, President, Forest Helicopters Inc. “The construction of our larger, better equipped facility will facilitate growth and attract employees. Forest Helicopters will soon reach our 25-year milestone with a commitment to be here well into the future.”

The NOHFC is designed to promote economic prosperity across Northern Ontario by providing financial assistance to projects that stimulate growth, job creation and skills development. Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $473 million in 4,244 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $1.5 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 6,600 jobs.