The province is supporting a roughly $3.4-million investment by Baxter’s Bakery, which will help create new jobs in the region, says Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini.
On Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, Piccini, alongside area officials and the senior team from the bakery, announced a provincial boost of $466,569 in funding through the Regional Development Program’s Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) for the bakery.
The provincial infusion of cash is supposed to help create 54 new jobs.
“Manufacturing is essential to our community,” said Piccini. “We’re working hard to create the conditions for growth and more jobs in our community.
“The investment from Baxter’s Bakery will boost the local manufacturing sector and create more jobs for workers and families in Northumberland and Ontario is proud to invest in this expansion that will create 54 more jobs.”
Baxter’s Bakery is described as a family-owned, local baking facility specializing in wholesale bakery items for grocery stores across Canada and the United States.
This latest investment is reportedly to help Baxter’s purchase and install new manufacturing packaging equipment at their wholesale baked-goods manufacturing facility in Cobourg.
In a recent release from the MPP’s office, it states the new equipment will drastically increase production capacity, support research and development, as well as further use of automation.
“Baxter’s Bakery continues to invest in its people and in its facility in Cobourg, Ont.,” said President David Baxter. “Since we began our journey in Cobourg in 2020, we have invested close to $5,000,000 to grow our business and support our exporting plans.
“With this new investment, we are enhancing staff well-being with new ergonomic equipment and streamlined workflows to reduce strain and inefficiencies,” continued Baxter. “These improvements promote healthier, more balanced work while boosting productivity, reflecting our commitment to a thriving team.”
According to the province, the Ontario government is investing $180 million through its regional development program to help manufacturers provincewide to grow and support distinct regional priorities. To date, Ontario has reportedly supported more than 135 projects through the program, leveraging more than $1.9 billion in new investments and helping to create over 3,500 jobs.
“Employing more than 800,000 workers across the province, Ontario’s manufacturing sector is the economic engine of our nation,” added Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli. “Our government is proud to support local manufacturers like Baxter’s Bakery as they expand their operations, and we thank them for their contributions to Ontario’s dynamic and growing manufacturing ecosystem.”