SOUTHERN ONTARIO FUND FOR INVESTMENT IN INNOVATION (SOFII) SUPPORTS RURAL CLEANTECH COMPANY, FIREREIN INC.

NAPANEE, ONTARIO – March 25, 2022 - Rural cleantech company, FireRein Inc. successfully completes UL (Underwriters Laboratories) firefighting efficacy testing of Eco-Gel and continues its efforts to bring Eco-Gel to large markets across North America with support from the Southern Ontario Fund for Investment in Innovation (SOFII).

The Southern Ontario Fund for Investment in Innovation (SOFII) is supported by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) and is being delivered by Community Futures Eastern Ontario. SOFII provides interest-bearing business loans to support innovation and growth in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the region.

“Small- and medium-sized businesses play a vital role in the economies of rural communities across southern Ontario and the Government of Canada is proud to support local Canadian businesses to create secure jobs and drive resilient economic growth in rural economies,” says the Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.

FireRein Inc. provides sustainable, bio-based water enhancing technologies for fire prevention and suppression. With the $500,000 loan provided from SOFII, FireRein’s product became the world's only certified 100% bio-based water additive for firefighting and fire prevention as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has officially recognized and verified the effectiveness of FireRein's Eco-Gel™ for the suppression of Class A and Class B fires.

"This is a significant milestone for FireRein as we now have UL recognition for performance. Eco­Gel™ is certified 100% bio-based by UL Environment and the USDA Bio Preferred program, making Eco-Gel™ the safest product available to the Fire Service and Industry," says Quincy Emmons, President and Co-Founder of FireRein.

"As one of the biggest accomplishments for FireRein, completion of the product testing with UL opens up sales channels into many key market segments, which will surge company growth," adds Zackery Hodgen, Vice-President, and Co-Founder.

Eco-Gel is currently sold to fire departments through fire product distributors in Western Canada, Ontario and Northern United States. FireRein also manages several commercial and fire departments directly. Regardless of where the order comes from, FireRein ships directly to clients to ensure quality assurance with the product and to provide training on proper use of the gel. This expansion has helped maintain 7 fulltime employees and will create an additional 20 fulltime jobs within the next three years.

 About FedDev Ontario

For more than 12 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation and growth in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving their productivity, growing their revenues, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our pivotal projects.

Contacts

Monica Granados

Press Secretary

Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

 For more information about SOFII and other CFDC programs, please visit: www.cfeasternontario.ca

For more information on FireRein Inc., please visit: https://www.firerein.com/

ACCFutures' Board of Directors is pleased to announce Greg Pietersma as their new Executive Director effective February 14, 2022.

 With deep roots in the SDG area and a wide range of experience and expertise, Greg Pietersma will continue to drive ACCFutures towards its mission to deliver financing, collaborative SME support, strategic community planning, and economic development solutions for Akwesasne, Cornwall, and the SDG Counties.
Mr. Pietersma brings over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience, having scaled a small business in North Dundas with his partner into an international exporter of highly sought-after niche tin products. The company attracted clients like Holt Renfrew, Lee Valley Tools, and Martha Stewart. He also has extensive experience in Board Governance, Financial Management, Software and Coding, and Tourism. Most recently, Mr. Pietersma was Executive Director of the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce. There, He catapulted the organizations' reputation and positioned the Chamber as the voice of business throughout the pandemic. He and his team secured and delivered multiple grants placing non-repayable funds in the hands of small businesses when they needed it the most.

"Mr. Pietersma's innate ability to lead, manage large projects, and navigate sensitive and significant issues will undoubtedly serve this region well." States ACCFutures Chair, Lila Romanko. "We are very excited to welcome Greg to the ACCFutures team!"

"I am very thrilled by the opportunity to join the ACCFutures team and to give back to this community," remarks Mr. Pietersma. "They have a fantastic staff and Board of Directors, and I look forward to leveraging my unique skills to explore how much more we can positively impact this community together."
Greg Pietersma can be contacted at 613-932-4333 ext 1 or .

“Trenval’s investment in us is something we take great pride in and will deliver back in a major way. Thank you for providing us with an opportunity to fulfil our dream.”

Howling Designs is a decal lettering, sign and promotional business located in Smiths Falls.

Current Opportunities

Program Coordinator/Business Analyst - Full-time, contract

Community Futures Eastern Ontario is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Program Coordinator/Business Analyst to join our dedicated team. In this role, you will play a key part in driving positive change and contributing to the growth of the eastern Ontario economy by providing essential support to our CFEO program team through coordination of member services, events, meetings and program client intake, driving data-driven insights by developing and maintaining dashboards with predictive analytics, contributing to developing recommended program strategies, sourcing prospective program partners, identifying additional funded program opportunities, contributing to the modernization of CFEOs systems and processes, and ensuring compliance with program delivery and reporting requirements. For more information and to apply, click here.

Marketing & Communications Student - Summer Position

Community Futures Eastern Ontario is seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic Marketing & Communications Student to join our team. In this role, you will play a key part in driving positive change and contributing to the growth of the eastern Ontario economy by providing essential support to our CFEO marketing and communications team by growing the network’s profile through digital media and sharing of the multitude of local economic development stories stemming from our member offices. In this role, you will will work directly with our team to support marketing campaign planning and execution by developing social media content, blog posts, website development, Search Engine Optimization, and additional administrative activities. For more information and to apply, click here.