Backgrounder
January 21, 2009
SUPPORT FOR STONEHEDGE BIO-RESOURCES INC.
“Ontario has chosen to be a leader in the new green economy. Today’s investment in Stonehedge Bio-Resources will step-up our capacity to produce alternative building materials that are much less damaging to the environment.”
Minister of the Environment John Gerretsen
“This project will be a source of revenue for our farmers and provide new business opportunities for communities in eastern Ontario. As a result of this project between Stonehedge and the UK, Ontario could one day become the centre of production for hemp-based materials for North America.”
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Leona Dombrowsky
“Lime Technology is delighted to bring equity investment and technical knowledge to this exciting venture with Stonehedge Bio-Resources Inc. We believe that the enlightened and supportive attitude of the Ontario government makes this the ideal place to develop the supply chain for industrial hemp products. The market for green products in the US and Canada is predicted to grow 5-fold over the next two years and we expect the new venture to benefit from this growth.”
Ian Pritchett, Chairman and Technical Director, Lime Technology Ltd.
“ELORIN has been supporting, investing in and promoting Stonehedge for more than three years now. This new injection of foreign investment into Stonehedge will have a ripple effect right across eastern Ontario, stimulating the economy, creating new jobs and new opportunities for local farmers. It is very exciting to see tangible results from our strategic partnership with the Ministry of Research and Innovation, our regional innovation network and location researchers and entrepreneurs.”
Shelagh McDonald, Executive Director, Eastern Lake Ontario Regional Innovation Network (ELORIN)
“This investment in Stonehedge will ensure that the North American market can take advantage of the environmental benefits of industrial hemp production. It is a truly sustainable material that can be used in the construction and automotive industries, while providing an alternative profitable crop for local agriculture.”
Mike Duckett, Managing Director, Hemcore Ltd.
“This is exciting news for the farming community surrounding Stirling in aastern Ontario. To learn that 200 agricultural producers could be involved in the production of more than five million dollars worth of baled hemp straw will provide a great boost to the agricultural economy of the area. OFA is pleased that the Ontario government, through the Ministry of Research and Innovation, is working with the Stonehedge Bio-Resources Inc. firm to make the project possible.”
Bette Jean Crews, President of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture
See also:
- News Release: Ontario Grows New Market From Industrial Hemp
- Backgrounder: Building Ontario’s Green Economy While Tackling Climate Change
