BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund
Last updated on September 20, 2024
The program intake closed for new proposals on August 15, 2024.
If you have been invited to submit a detailed application, the deadline to submit is November 15, 2024, at 4:00 pm PST.
The BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund (BCMJF) is helping manufacturing companies modernize, innovate, and grow by providing funding for capital projects in all regions in B.C., particularly in communities affected by economic impacts or downturns.
The program welcomes applications from all manufacturing sectors. There is a particular focus on helping the forestry sector retrofit and develop new, sustainable value-added business lines that reduce dependency on old growth logging and make innovative use of biomaterials.
On this page:
- Program Overview
- Eligibility
- Program Streams
- Application Process
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Funding Recipients
- Contact Us
Program Overview
This program reflects the Province's ongoing commitment to promote economic diversification and complements other supports for forestry workers and rural communities.
BCMJF will invest up to $180 million in manufacturing projects throughout B.C.
Program Goals:
- Invest in high-value, high-growth manufacturing sectors
- Contribute to clean, inclusive growth and economic resilience and diversification, particularly in regional and Indigenous communities
- Support innovation and sustainability in the forestry value-added sector
- Create and maintain long-term well-paying jobs
- Help companies leverage other funding sources and bring investment into B.C.
- Boost productivity, strengthen supply chains and drive competitiveness in domestic and international markets
The Program Guide provides additional information about the program and application process.
Eligibility
Applicant Eligibility
Eligible applicants include:
- Businesses
- For-profit organizations
- Entities with for-profit manufacturing operations, including First Nations and Indigenous- and First Nation-owned enterprises
First Nations and Indigenous-owned enterprises that are preparing to fully acquire or buy into an established manufacturing operation may be eligible to receive funding. Please contact us to discuss.
Applicant eligibility requirements
- Registered to do business in B.C.
- Operate in the manufacturing sector; i.e., create products using industrial or mass production processes
- Have established operations (at the proposed project location or elsewhere)
- Have an established employee base
- Be in a viable financial position, for example:
- Not in foreclosure or for sale
- A business plan and financial records that show current or projected growth, profits, and/or ability to pay off short-term debts
Project Eligibility
Eligible capital projects must:
- Be located in B.C.
- Contribute to long-term regional economic growth, sustainability and/or diversity
- Be financially viable and leverage market demand
- Create, maintain or diversify job opportunities for local workers
- Have a high degree of readiness and bring direct benefits to communities
- Demonstrate alignment with program goals
Eligible project costs
Eligible project costs are those essential to project delivery, including:
- Capital expenditures including equipment, machinery, technology, and construction materials
- Wage or contract costs for net new and project-specific labour
- Material transportation costs
- Installation and implementation costs
See the Program Guide for more information about eligible and ineligible costs.
Program Streams
BCMJF has two funding streams: Project Readiness and Capital Investment. The streams support different stages of planning and launching capital projects.
Stream 1 - Project Readiness
Funding to complete final-stage business and project planning, including operational and technical assessments.
Funding Amount
- Maximum: $50,000
- Up to 50% of total eligible project costs
Examples
- Develop a business case to expand operations or diversify product lines
- Conduct an operational or technical assessment to improve processes or introduce new technology
Early research, concept development and scoping are not eligible activities.
Stream 2 - Capital Investment
Funding to invest in new or renovated manufacturing infrastructure, technology, equipment, and processes, including renovating idle industrial buildings such as an unused mill site.
Funding Amount
- Minimum: $100,000
- Maximum: $10,000,000
- Total eligible project costs should be approximately $500,000 up to $100 million
- Up to 20% of total eligible project costs
Funding Details
- Projects should be initiated within one year
- Funding will be paid out in installments based on milestones achieved
- Applicants will be asked to submit project documentation that outlines the project budget, other potential and secured funding sources, and demonstrates project viability
Examples
- Build or expand a manufacturing facility
- Upgrade equipment or machinery to support new product lines
- Adopt innovative processes to manufacture value-added forestry products from biomass or other alternatives
- Retrofit a processing facility to expand or adopt new technology and processes
- Improve processes for fabrication
Application Process
Step 1: Project Proposal
The program is not currently accepting new proposals.
However, if you have a project that is highly aligned with the program priorities outlined below in Step 3, please contact us at ManufacturingJobsFund@gov.bc.ca to discuss.
Step 2: Detailed Application
Applicants who were selected to move to Step 2 must submit their detailed application by November 15, 2024, at 4:00 pm PST via the online form. Applications will be assessed for alignment with program goals, economic impact, and project viability.
You can find additional details in the Program Guide.
Step 3: Funding Decision
Throughout the assessment process, project applications that pass the assessment process and due diligence will be grouped together in batches and reviewed for funding decision.
Applications submitted with all required documentation by August 31, 2024 will have funding decisions made available by late fall 2024, and applications submitted after August 31, 2024 will have funding decisions made available in early 2025.
The following criteria will be used to prioritize projects for funding:
- In a high degree of project readiness (meaning that it can begin within six months and has a phase that will be completed by March 2026)
- Value-added forest manufacturing project
- In a forestry-dependent, regional or rural community
- Directly benefits workers and community
- Has a demonstrated need for funding to move forward as intended
- Indigenous-led or brings significant benefits to Indigenous Peoples
Frequently Asked Questions
A list of frequently asked questions about the program, application process and eligibility will be regularly updated on this page.
Funding Recipients
Applicants are approved on a rolling basis over the continuous program intake. The list of funding recipients will be updated regularly as new projects are approved.
Contact Us
If you have a question about the program or want to discuss your project, contact us at:
ManufacturingJobsFund@gov.bc.ca
Please note, the program team cannot respond from September 21 - October 19 but can continue to receive updates and inquiries during this time. We will begin responding to requests as of October 21, 2024.
Access the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund Program Guide.
Contact information
To discuss the program or a potential project, please contact us by email.
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