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KAMLOOPS, B.C. – The Government of British Columbia is investing up to $11.4 million to eight forestry sector capital projects and one planning project through the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund (BCMJF).

“Making the best use of available fibre is a key part of the blueprint for sustainable forestry in B.C. The BCMJF is working with forestry companies throughout our province to create new jobs and highly sought-after engineered wood products. Helping manufacturers expand their operations to create more made-in-B.C. products is what the BCMJF is all about,” B.C. Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation Brenda Bailey said in a statement.

Projects include the Kruger Kamloops Pulp mill which will receive up to $5 million to support the commissioning of a new pressure diffusion washer with an AI-powered control system. The federal government is also providing $4.9 million under the Investment in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) Program, a release said.

Kruger previously received $50,000 in BCMJF funding to conduct planning toward this capital project, the release said.

Agassiz-based specialty and value-added wood product manufacturer Power Wood Corporation will receive up to $3.4 million to create a new thermal modification manufacturing facility to produce high value, thermally modified wood products.

The federal government is also providing $3 million under the IFIT Program for the initiative via the Squiala PWC Wood Modifying Limited Partnership.

Other projects include wood-waste processor Cloverdale Fuel Ltd. which will receive up to $830,000 to commission new equipment and Kamloops-based Thompson River Veneer Products Ltd. with up to $583,000 to improve their equipment by commissioning six additional press platens.

Command Industries Ltd. in Kelowna will receive up to $550,000 for its project to purchase advanced equipment that will double its production capacity and Fraserwood Industries Ltd., a value-added timber remanufacturer specializing in mass timber products, is receiving up to $465,000 to support the expansion of their facility to accommodate new equipment.

Lauten Woodworking Ltd., a residential and commercial cabinetry and millwork manufacturer in North Vancouver, is receiving up to $320,000 to support the retrofit of its manufacturing facility and the purchase of new equipment.

Another custom cabinet manufacturer, D3 Custom Cabinets in Richmond will receive $226,000 to support the expansion and retrofitting of their current production space and the purchase of new advanced equipment and in Coquitlam, cabinet manufacturer Troico Home Solutions & Manufacturing Inc. will receive up to $50,000 to complete business planning to prepare for the purchase of new advanced machinery and software.