WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — The B.C. government is footing up to $10 million of the $75-million bill for Massive Canada to construct a new mass timber manufacturing facility in Williams Lake in the Central Interior.

 “Massive Canada brings together sustainable mass-timber products and prefabrication in this facility. We manufacture buildings to help B.C. communities achieve their affordable housing and climate goals,” said Gaetan Royer, CEO of Massive Canada. “The B.C. government’s 2022 Mass Timber Action Plan was a pivotal document for us. Thanks to the Manufacturing Jobs Fund, we will create jobs for knowledge workers and tradespersons in this innovative industry.”

Massive Canada is renovating and equipping an existing 91,000-square-foot manufacturing plant to pre-fabricate laneway homes, apartment units, townhouses, and commercial projects using mass-timber building products and systems. Through the project, Massive Canada will acquire, renovate, and equip an existing 8,454 square-meter (91,000 square foot) manufacturing plant. The facility will pre-fabricate laneway homes, apartment units, townhouses, and commercial projects using mass-timber building products and systems that significantly reduce construction time. The aim is to increase the supply of housing throughout the province.

The facility is expected to be ready for small-scale operations later in 2023, with full operations beginning in 2024. This is the first project approved through the Province’s new $180-million BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund, which opened for applications in February 2023.

"By getting behind Massive Canada’s innovative project, we’re helping move B.C. forward as we build resilient communities in every corner of our province,” said Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. “Making investments in innovative manufacturing projects throughout B.C. will help get more value out of our forests while retaining long-term, high-quality jobs for British Columbians, especially in forestry-dependent communities and rural B.C.”

The BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund supports established for-profit organizations to plan and launch shovel-ready, high-value industrial and manufacturing projects that bring direct benefits and stable, family-supporting jobs to communities while driving clean and inclusive growth throughout the province. Applications for the fund are open and being approved on a rolling basis.

“This investment in Williams Lake and the job opportunities that will come with it are welcome news for our community,” said Surinderpal Rathor, mayor, of Williams Lake. “We’re excited to see this project is moving forward with support from the Province, and can’t wait to welcome Massive Canada to Williams Lake.”