Canada’s minister of housing and infrastructure Gregor Robertson was in Castlegar to announce more than $13 million in investments for ten Regional Tariff Response Initiative projects across BC’s Southern Interior. The tariff response initiative is a $1 billion national program aimed at helping businesses adapt to tariffs and new economic and trade realities. …Kalesnikoff Lumber is receiving $5.5 million of the announced funding in the form of a “repayable investment” or interest-free loan. …The company will use the money to purchase new equipment to increase the manufacturing capacity of prefabricated components that can be used to build everything from multi-family housing to schools and commercial buildings.

• Porcupine Wood Products, based in Salmo, will receive $583,000 to purchase new equipment that will speed production, improve product consistency and increase the value gained from each log.
• Independent Lumber Manufacturers Association will receive $862,000 to deliver an AI and digital modernization program for its member mills.
• Forest Product Association of Canada will receive $974,000 to develop a digital intelligence platform that will reduce transportation delays and improve supply chain reliability.
• Axis Forestry ($590,000), Command Industries ($730,000), Heartland Economics ($644,000), Rapid-Span ($828,000), Simolo Customs ($1.56 million) and SKYTRAC ($762,000).