Province infuses cash into Silversmith expansion
Niagara-on-the-Lake craft brewery gets $400,000 grant
Expansion plans for Niagaraon-the-Lake’s Silversmith Brewing Co. are getting a boost from the province.
The Niagara Stone Road craft brewer, in the middle of a $3.6million expansion, was awarded a $400,000 grant from the government’s Southwestern Ontario Development Fund.
“The new investment we are celebrating today is very good news for the Niagara community,” said St. Catharines MPP Jim Bradley, who was representing Jeff Leal, the minister responsible for small business in the Wynne Liberal government. “(It’s) an example of what can be accomplished when the private sector and government work together.”
He said craft brewing, although it appears to be a recent phenomenon, actually has a lengthy history in the province.
“Craft brewing in Ontario dates back generations, and has deep roots in the history of our province,” he said. “In fact, some would say that the foundation of Ontario’s economy was built on the supply and demand of commodities like fur, lumber and beer.”
Silversmith embarked on its 990-square-metre expansion earlier this year. It will include more seating capacity for its restaurant by 75 to 125 people, more retail space, additional brewing space, a tasting room and an events space. The expansion will secure 15 jobs at the brewery while adding 10 more. The expansion is expected to be complete by September 2022.
“We’ve worked really hard over the last six years to establish a destination brewery for tourists and local residents,” Silversmith founder and chief executive officer Chris Pontsioen said.
“We never imagined that it would grow so quickly.”
Pontsioen was quick to credit “a great group of people” who keep Silversmith — known far and wide for its award-winning black lager — humming and added that the government funds serve to validate what they are doing.
“Our hard work is being exposed to a lot of quality minds in government,” Pontsioen said. “And for me and our group here, I think that’s a real pat on the back.”
Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates, whose riding includes Niagara-on-the-Lake, said Silversmith’s success is something that students in craft brewing programs at Niagara College and Brock University can look to when planning their own careers in the industry.
“Young people will see the opportunity in the industry is growing in leaps and bounds,” he said.
Bradley, meanwhile, said securing the grant money was no easy task for Silversmith, as it is for any business hoping for the assistance from the fund.
“These are not easy grants to acquire,” he said. “Not all get approved.”
Bradley also praised Pontsioen and the Silversmith team for recognizing the importance of heritage to Niagara-on-the-Lake residents and that the company chose to refurbish an old church without compromising its heritage appeal.
“And all the magic happens in this beautiful 1890s church,” he said.