ON: A new venture by Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) and the provincial government will help small to medium-sized (SMS) manufacturing businesses.

With a goal of creating and maintaining SMS business jobs while helping companies to be more competitive, the SMART program will be backed by an investment of $25 million from the province.

That money will be used to provide businesses with up to 50 per cent of eligible costs in the following areas:

• Lean manufacturing and design
• Quality improvement;
• Energy efficiency;
• IT best practices;
• and environmental impact reduction.

The most a project can receive is $50,000. However, not all companies can apply to the program. Only those with less than 500 employees worldwide (or less than 200 at any one facility) and have been in business for at least two years are eligible.

As a result of a limited amount of resources, not all eligible companies will be offered funds.

"CME's SMART Program will equip Ontario manufacturers with the tools needed to compete and win in the new economy," said CME President, Jayson Myers. "We are pleased that the McGuinty government has taken a lead role in helping hundreds of small and mid-sized manufacturers invest in their future."

More information about the SMART Program can be found at: http://www.cme-smart.ca/, to go straight to the how to apply page, go here: http://www.cme-smart.ca/?action=show&lid=B567K-YZBK3-8S5FJ&desc=How-to-Apply-for-SMART-Funding.

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