Biomass heating system among federal funding recipients

Federal funding of nearly $460,000 will enable Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek to move forward with the installation of a district biomass heating system in the community.

The project is one of 10 being supported with $4.8 million from FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program, announced Dec. 5.

Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek — also known as Sand Point First Nation — has been working on its district biomass heating project for well over a decade.

The system will be fed with wood residue generated from the community’s sawmill, and the resulting energy will heat residential, commercial and institutional buildings.

Excess materials are expected to be sold to neighbouring communities pursuing their own district heating projects.

“This project is an important part of a broader mission to build our community on our traditional lands in a way that serves every member of our nation,” Paul Gladu, chief of Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek, said in a news release.

“Thanks to our ongoing partnership with FedNor, we are continuing to drive economic development for Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek so that we can support the bright future we have chosen for ourselves.”

The full list of projects and their allotments follows:

• Enaadmaagehjik, the economic development arm of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, is receiving $1 million toward the construction of an Indigenous eco-park tourism experience at Point Grondine Park;
• Gord’s Rentals is receiving $784,655 for the renovation of its main warehouse to meet its needs as an equipment repair and rental business;
• Indigenous Tourism Ontario will receive $512,000 to acquire 250 drones for a Indigenous storytelling attraction;
• Pemiijiwan Support Services Inc. is receiving a $500,000 to support the hiring of a CEO and a finance manager, who will identify and act upon opportunities stemming from Ring of Fire developments;
• Beam Paints of M’Chigeeng First Nation is receiving a repayable investment of $500,000 to build a new facility and install new machinery to expand manufacturing capacity;
• Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek will receive $459,800 for the installation of its district biomass heating system;
• Shibogama First Nations Council is receiving $400,000 toward a business analysis for the potential purchase of Musselwhite Mine;
• Mishkeegogamang will receive $300,000 to create an economic development officer position;
• Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation is receiving $183,060 toward a prefeasibility study for a data centre;
• Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek is receiving $135,000 to plan and design an ice-packing facility to support commercial fishing operations in the community.