Blackwood Contractors Ltd., a Deer Lake-based metal fabrication company, has received a $195,865 term loan from the Provincial Government to expand its operations. The expansion will enable the company to train and maintain a highly-skilled work force, along with increasing its production capacity to help secure new contracts.

"As a government, we are committed to supporting companies like Blackwood Contractors improve their market competitiveness," said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "With its expansion, I am confident that the company will further position itself as a significant player in the metal fabrication industry."

Established in 1984, Blackwood Contractors has expanded from primarily focusing on commercial plumbing and heating contracts to offering a full range of mechanical services including plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and equipment services. Its experience has strategically-positioned the company to capitalize on the province�s growing oil and gas, mineral, and transportation and service sectors.

"Our business has experienced steady growth in recent years and our work space is utilized to full capacity," said Brian Wellon, owner of Blackwood Contractors. "We will almost double the size of our production facility in Deer Lake and add new machinery. In addition, we are constructing a new 800 square-foot storage building in the Deer lake Industrial Park which will improve overall operational efficiency."

The company has worked on projects at Deer Lake Regional Airport, Western Memorial Regional Hospital, the Service Canada building in Port aux Basques, the Holiday Inn at Corner Brook, Corner Brook Civic Centre and Rattling Brook Hydro plant.

"The continued growth of Blackwood Contractors is a positive development for the area," said Darryl Kelly, MHA, Humber West. "This expansion helps sustain 28 positions and will create four new positions. More importantly, it strengthens the industrial base of Deer Lake and the surrounding region."

Financial support was provided through the Small to Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) Fund. Administered by the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, the SME Fund is available for start-up, modernization, or expansion of a business venture in key growth sectors. A maximum of $500,000 is available per project with an applicant investment of up to 20 per cent of project costs.

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