The federal government has provided an investment of nearly $1.4 million to a Thunder Bay-based business that designs, manufactures, ships, and installs modular buildings.

Smart Modular Canada aims to use the funding to expand its operations. In particular, the company aims to addressing housing gaps in First Nations communities and infrastructure needs in natural resource sectors such as mining and forestry.

Smart Modular Canada also provides training programs that develop trade skills. The company has focused on youth in First Nation communities, offering training for the workers, as well as both mentoring and career opportunities in the construction industry.

The funds are provided through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program, a programs that invests in projects led by municipalities, First Nations, and other organizations and institutions that support community economic development, diversification, job creation and self-reliant communities in Northern Ontario.

“Investing in housing construction innovators like Smart Modular is key to building more affordable housing,” said Patty Hajdu, the minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario. “This investment will help scale up a one-of-a-kind Northern Ontario business. On top of creating good-paying jobs in the region, it also provides concrete support to remote and Indigenous communities that have important housing needs.”

The investment is anticipated to create 15 jobs and to triple production of modular homes while also reducing waste.

“We are proud to partner with FedNor in building Northern Ontario,” said President Bill Boulton. “This investment is going to help us to keep expanding, to create new, high-skill jobs, and to meet the housing needs of the region.”

Smart Modular Canada is Northwestern Ontario’s only modular-home manufacturing facility.