FedNor announcement heralds opening of new green tech company

FedNor Minister Tony Clement was at Ellsin Environmental Ltd.'s plant on Yates Avenue this morning to announce funding for Community Development Corporation of Sault Ste. Marie and Area this morning.

Why Ellsin Environmental Ltd.?

The simple answer is to ensure there will be more stories like Ellsin, said Sault MP Bryan Hayes.

The more timely answer is because in just a few weeks Ellsin will complete its 18-year journey to becoming an overnight success in the green economy.

Dr. Stephen Simms, president of Environmental Waste International Inc., Ellsin's parent company, was on hand to host the announcement and explain a bit about what the TR900 system will do when it is started up in a few weeks.

He's seen explaining technical aspects of the plant to Clement, Hayes and Sault MPP David Orazietti.

It's patented reverse-polymerization process is a system that uses microwave energy to disrupt the molecular bonds of most organic waste, said Simms.

"In the case of a 20-pound car tire," he said. "We expect to get just over seven-pounds of recycled carbon black, two-pounds of steel, just under one U.S. gallon of oil and the remaining gasses are used as a fuel for the generator that produces electricity needed to operate the facility. Any excess power is fed back to the grid."

Simms also said the company decided to locate it's first working facility in Sault Ste. Marie because of the generous support it received from all three levels of government.

Following the announcement from Clement, Sault Mayor Debbie Amaroso presented Janice Beatty, chair of the Community Development Corporation (CDC) of Sault Ste. Marie with a plaque from City Council thanking the CDC for 25 years of service.

The full text of a release from FedNor follows.

****************************** Minister Clement announces investments in small business sector in Sault region

SAULT STE. MARIE - The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister for FedNor, today announced that the Government of Canada, through FedNor, is investing more than $1.4 million in small business development and growth in the Sault Ste. Marie area.

“Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) are key partners in our government’s efforts to keep Canada’s economy strong and to help small businesses succeed,” said Minister Clement. “Last year alone, our investments assisted more than 110 local businesses in the Sault region to create or maintain over 250 jobs.”

FedNor supports the creation, growth and success of small and medium-sized businesses through the federal government’s Community Futures Program.

The Community Development Corporation of Sault Ste. Marie and Area is one of 24 CFDCs funded by FedNor to serve Northern Ontario businesses and communities.

CFDCs are community-based, not-for-profit organizations run by volunteer boards and staffed by experienced business and economic development professionals.

“By designating 2011 as the Year of the Entrepreneur, the Government of Canada recognizes the impact that entrepreneurs have on our national economy,” stated Bryan Hayes, member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie. "Targeted investments in CFDCs such as the Community Development Corporation of Sault Ste. Marie and Area, ensures that the small business sector is supported at the regional level, resulting in strong local communities.”

Of the funding total, $900,000 will support the ongoing operations of the CFDC, enabling it to offer business support services and access to capital to small and medium-sized businesses for a three-year period.

An additional $300,000 will be used to provide new and existing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with repayable loans, equity and loan guarantees.

The remaining $225,000 will enable the organization to support a variety of local and regional community economic development projects within its catchment area.

“For 25 years, we’ve been working to foster partnerships and create economic opportunities that will benefit this region,” said Janice Beatty, chair, Community Development Corporation of Sault Ste. Marie and Area. “Today’s announcement means that we will be able to continue our important role in addressing challenges at the community level.”

To find out more about FedNor and the Community Futures Program, visit http://ic.gc.ca/cfdc-ontario

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