(photo supplied by Bruce Power)
An Indigenous-owned fabrication company has marked the official opening of its new facility in Owen Sound.
Makwa-Cahill, a partnership between Makwa Development Corp. and Cahill Constructors Limited, welcomed guests to tour its 26,000 square foot fabrication facility in Owen Sound on Wednesday, including Ontario’s Minister of Energy Todd Smith, Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker, Owen Sound Mayor Ian Boddy and several company representatives from Bruce Power, Makwa Development and Cahill Constructors.
Makwa Development Corp. is owned by Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation residents Scott Lee and Shane Chegano.
According to a release, the Owen Sound facility is now fully operational with plans and the capacity to employ more than 50 workers per shift.
The Owen Sound site will be the head office for all Makwa-Cahill operations, according to a release, supporting construction, maintenance and fabrication scopes across Ontario.
“The new fabrication facility will deliver services to Bruce Power and other industry suppliers, while providing on-the-job training and development opportunities for skilled tradespeople,” says Lee, President of Makwa Developments. “The facility will have a strong focus on training and development to meet the needs of Ontario’s nuclear industry.”
In September, Bruce Power announced it signed a supplier agreement with Makwa-Cahill.
“The Bruce Power Life-Extension Program is continuing to power an economic recovery in Ontario,” says Mike Rencheck, President and CEO, Bruce Power in a statement. “The Makwa-Cahill joint venture will provide community members with excellent jobs and training and gives Bruce Power access to the skill-sets we need to continue supplying the reliable, clean electricity that Ontario and Canada need to affordably reach net zero. I would like to congratulate Makwa-Cahill on the opening of their fabrication facility and look forward to working together.”