Porcupine Opportunities Program Receives Funding for Expanded Workshop
Porcupine Opportunities Program Inc. (POP) is pleased to announce that it has received $805,000 in funding from the Government of Canada for renovation and expansion of its industrial wood workshop in Porcupine Plain. The federal investment, by Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), is through its Community Economic Development and Diversification (CEDD) program. CEDD supports economic development initiatives that contribute to the economic growth and diversification of communities across the Prairie provinces.
Construction and renovation is set to begin in the early fall of 2022 with an anticipated completion time of late spring 2023.
POP is a community-based and governed organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of persons experiencing disability. In operation since 1974, the agency provides residential, vocational, and employment supports and services to over 30 adults experiencing intellectual and/or physical disabilities. Services are provided in Porcupine Plain and Hudson Bay.
“Porcupine Opportunities Program is thankful that PrairiesCan recognized the importance of this project to the individuals we support, our agency, and our community as a whole,” said General Manager, Marilyn Jonas. “We are grateful for this opportunity and excited to expand our vocational opportunities through this investment.”
The investment will support the renovation of POP’s existing 4200 square foot workshop which was built in 1985 as part of the agency’s vocational program. Originally, the shop supported the production of core boxes for mining exploration. This work continues with the production of over 30,000 boxes per year. Over the past several years POP has also added production of dunnage, for the lumber industry to its scope of business. This work involves using waste lumber to manufacture strips of wood that are strapped to the bottom of lifts of lumber. The strips, or dunnage, facilitate movement of the lifts using a forklift or loader. The agency is now producing close to 600,000 pieces of dunnage and has added additional staff to support this work. Increased space and updates to the infrastructure of the shop and its equipment are required to support and sustain both core box and dunnage production moving forward.
“Our government recognizes that community-based organizations like the Porcupine Opportunities Program are critical for providing vocational and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities,” said Daniel Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan. “This Program is a wonderful asset to the community and we are proud to support it.”
The funding from PrairiesCan will add an additional 3500 square feet of working space as well as support renovation and updating of the existing workshop. Included in the project will be the addition of a specialized area for the manufacture of a variety of small wood projects for sale including: benches and chairs, planters, bird houses, games, and much more. This new work area will provide opportunity for some participants who are less mobile, or need a quieter work area, to participate in the workshop activities. In addition to the extra space, the investment will support an update in electrical services, a new sawdust vacuum system, and some specialized wood working equipment.
