Ontario Investing over $200,000 to Support the Agriculture Sector in Thunder Bay
New funding will help Veumount Farms to expand operations, create good-paying jobs and stay competitive
News Release | October 30th, 2026
Thunder Bay — The Ontario government is investing $224,129 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to help Veumount Farms create one new position and increase production capacity and enhance efficiency in its operations. This investment delivers on the government’s plan to protect Ontario by helping the agriculture sector expand and create good-paying jobs, while building a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy.
“Local farms like Veumount Farms play an important role in supporting our communities and strengthening our regional economy,” said Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay–Atikokan. “This investment will help Veumount Farms modernize its operations, increase production and create a new job, while supporting the long-term growth of our agriculture sector. By investing in our local producers, we are helping build a more competitive and self-reliant Ontario.”
With the NOHFC’s support, Veumount Farms will be able to construct a new 25,000 sq ft dairy barn, undertake land servicing, and purchase robotic milking, feeding, and manure management systems. This project will result in the creation of one new job, address capacity constraints and operational inefficiencies associated with the existing barn, and support future growth through the construction of a modern dairy facility.
"Veumount Dairy Farm previously operated in an old, labour intensive, tie-stall barn constructed in the 1970s. This facility has reached its maximum capacity for over two years, significantly limiting our ability to increase milk production.To address these limitations and position Veumount Dairy Farm for long-term success, we committed to the construction of a new, modern dairy barn equipped with the latest automated milking and feeding technologies. ” Said Mark Veurink, Owner of Veumount Farms.” This facility will feature robotic milking systems, optimized cow comfort features, and efficient labor workflows—all within a controlled environment designed to enhance animal health, safety, and productivity. This project represents a pivotal step forward in the evolution of Veumount Dairy Farm, ensuring our ability to meet the demands of a growing market while maintaining our commitment to quality milk, animal welfare, and sustainable farming practices. We would like to thank NOHFC and Kevin Holland for their investment and for playing a role in this project's completion."
This funding is part of a larger investment the Ontario government announced to support 14 agriculture projects across the North.
“Northern Ontario’s agri-food sector plays a vital role in supporting rural communities and strengthening the region’s economy,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “These investments will help northern farmers grow their operations, create new opportunities and further unlock the economic potential of northern Ontario’s agriculture industry.”
The Ontario government is prioritizing investments through the NOHFC that protect northern industries and jobs, mitigate the impacts of U.S. tariffs and trade disruptions and secure new opportunities for the long-term prosperity of northern Ontario. The renewed focus is boosting competitiveness and ensuring the North remains a leader in Ontario’s economy. This new direction is in addition to the province’s increased investment, bringing the NOHFC’s annual budget to a total of $110 million. Together, these initiatives will benefit communities of all sizes, both rural and urban, including Indigenous communities.
Quick Facts
Through its funding programs, the NOHFC offers support to public and private sector economic development projects across northern Ontario.
Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $1.1 billion in over 8,900 projects in northern Ontario, leveraging more than $3.4 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 13,850 jobs.
Additional Resources
The NOHFC, Northern Development Offices and Ontario Small Business Advisory Centres support northern communities, businesses and other stakeholders in identifying economic development opportunities and government funding programs.
