New strategic partnerships announced this week have leveraged almost $44 million in new investments and helped to create or retain over 1,400 jobs in Southwestern Ontario.

The latest investment under the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund is with Airbus Helicopters Canada in Fort Erie. Funding will support the company’s new production line, equipment and facility upgrades, and employee training required for a contract producing composite engine cowlings for the EC225 helicopter, which is sold worldwide. The company announced last year that, following a competitive process, it had secured the contract from its home base in France because of Ontario’s highly skilled manufacturing workforce.

Other projects announced this week include support for two London-based manufacturing companies, Artisan Metal Finishing and Attica Manufacturing. Ontario also announced partnerships with Aalbers Tool & Mold in Oldcastle, Wolf Steel in Barrie and DC Foods in Waterloo.

Together, the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund and the Eastern Ontario Development Fund have attracted more than $1.3 billion in investment and helped to create and retain more than 31,000 jobs in Ontario communities.

Helping businesses compete and grow in this highly competitive global economy is part of the government’s economic plan for Ontario. The four-part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people’s talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives and building a secure savings plan so everyone can afford to retire.