Government funding bolsters winery jobs

Provincial and federal government investments in two St. Catharines wineries have resulted in new jobs.

And winery representatives say more workers are yet to be hired, as a result of the investments announced Friday at 13th Street Winery on Fourth Avenue by St. Catharines MPP Jim Bradley and MP Chris Bittle.

The investments of about $ 100,000 each at 13th Street and King’s Court Estate wineries helped pay for new equipment including stainless steel fermentation tanks each capable of holding 15,000 litres of wine.

Doug Whitty, 13th Street Winery president, said the investments have resulted in five parttime and two full- time jobs created so far at his Fourth Avenue business.

“It allows us with larger volumes to reach new markets,” Whitty said.

While the larger tanks and equipment help enhance the winery’s efficiency, he said the investment — along with a significant investment on behalf of the winery itself — also enhances the safety of workers.

Whitty said the investment has also allowed the winery to reach out to new markets, improve wine quality and production.

“It’s allowed us to grow our business in a way that we hope to affect culture,” he said, adding the overarching goal is to enhance the enjoyment of life for the community.

The funding, he added, has also “spurred much larger private investments” from businesses from across the province and country.

At King’s Court Estate Winery, manager Roland Zimmermann said government funding was directly responsible for new positions there, too.

“It’s kind of a knock- on effect,” Zimmermann said. “Because of the investment we were able to hire new employees, because our demands and our production increase.”

While two new full- time staff have joined the winery so far, he said there are more to come.

“We are taking applications,” Zimmermann said.

Bradley recalled buying Niagara wine many years ago for about 99 cents a bottle, “worth every penny.”

“The quality was not what you’d call great,” he said.

Today, the quality of Niagara wine “is second to none in the world.”

“That’s how far we’ve come.”

The industry has “a huge economic impact” on the province, supporting more than 800,000 jobs and contributing more than $ 37 billion to Ontario’s economy, Bradley said.

“I’m pleased to be here today to see the benefits of these investments,” he said, referring to the funding provided as part of the Growing Forward 2 initiative — a five- year program designed to support agri- food industries across the country.

Bittle said the domestic wine industry contributed about $ 9 billion to the Canadian economy in 2015, about half of that generated in Niagara.

“That’s a significant economic driver. We’re fortunate to have a vast number of innovative agri- food businesses,” he said.

Bittle said about $ 18 million of funding has been invested in about 300 food and beverage processors across Ontario.

“Investments like this are part of the federal government’s ambitious plan for the agri- food sector in Canada. We see agri- food as a key driver in the Canadian economy. We’re making strategic investments to help give our farmers and food processors the tools they need to grow their businesses and create good middleclass jobs.”

While bolstering the local industry and helping to create jobs, Whitty said the government also benefits from the investment as a result of increased tax revenue.

“With increased production of 100 per cent Ontario wines, the tax revenue that’s generated is much higher than for imported wines. It’s a significant multiplier effect,” he said. “And it’s not just about us, it’s about the community because the tourism operators, the hotels, the restaurants, everybody benefits when we get more people coming to Niagara to enjoy our wines.”