SAINT-ANTONIN, QUEBEC - Quebec furniture manufacturer Verbois Inc., which produces dining room, office and bedroom furniture, side tables and living room furnishings, is among three wood industry firms that are receiving government support for manufacturing expansion.

Verbois will receive a supporting grant of C$364,750 on a total investment of C$1,014,660. The 38-employee firm will expand its Rivière-du-Loup plant and acquire manufacturing equipment, to increase its manufacturing capacity.

Funding comes from the Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED), through the Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec. The announcement was made by Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.

"By helping Bas-Saint-Laurent enterprises carry out their expansion and productivity enhancement projects, our government is showing once again that it is committed to stimulating economic growth," says Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.

Thirty-employee Bélisle Ancestral Doors & Windows Inc., which specializes in the manufacture of high-end wood doors and windows, will receive a repayable contribution of $149,000 on its total investment of $358,000.  Bélisle Ancestral Doors & Windows intends to hire a sales representative in the United States, update its brand image, revamp its Website, develop and distribute promotional materials and advertisements and take part in trade shows and commercial fairs.

A third repayable contribution of C$271,000 on a total investment of C$798,000 goes to Usinage, which specializes in the manufacture, modification and assembly of machined equipment parts made of steel, stainless steel, aluminium and plastic for large enterprises operating in the transportation and recreational vehicle, furniture, medical equipment and industrial machinery sectors. The 13-employee firm will purchase specialized equipment and expand its plant, creating two new jobs.