Miramichi to welcome 165 aerospace, jobs
Published Wednesday December 3rd, 2008
Province pledged up to $600,000 in forgivable loans to DEW Engineering and Development
MIRAMICHI - Mayor Gerry Cormier calls the 165 new jobs headed to his community "an early Christmas gift," for a city that has become accustomed to hearing nothing but bad news around the holidays.
Around this time last year, the city had to swallow the permanent closure of the UPM-Kymmene groundwood pulp mill, putting about 600 people out of work.
In December 2006, another 150 people lost their jobs in a temporary shutdown of the Weyerhaeuser oriented strand board mill, which became a permanent shutdown this past summer.
All told, yesterday's announced creation of 165 new jobs at a local aerospace and defence firm was lauded by all levels of government as a step in the right direction as this city of 20,000 people tries to rise from the ashes left behind by a crumbling forestry sector.
The provincial government is pledging up to $600,000 in forgivable loans to DEW Engineering and Development Ltd. through Business New Brunswick (BNB) and the Miramichi Economic Development Fund.
"This is great news, and as a mayor, this is what it's all about, especially in these tough times," said Cormier.
The funding will help the engineering firm expand its 9,300-square-metre facility in Chatham, and will also go toward the purchasing of new equipment and job training costs.
The company -- operating in Miramichi since 1994 -- manufactures lightweight armour plating and also restores military vehicles which are used in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The armour is designed to withstand the impact of roadside bombs.
Business NB Minister Greg Byrne said the fact that the Ottawa-based company is willing to more than double its workforce is a testament to the quality-of-work and expertise being generated out of the Miramichi plant.
About 160 people are presently employed at the company's Miramichi operation.
"It's hard not to be impressed with what's going on here at DEW Engineering," said Byrne.
"They've got their noses to the grindstone, they're happy to be working there, and the company is genuinely thrilled with the productivity that they're getting here in Miramichi."
Byrne said the investment reflects the government's commitment to New Brunswick's aerospace and defence industry, as well as the diversification of the provincial economy.
He said the province only provides funding to established companies that are dedicated to remaining in New Brunswick long-term.
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