Province Invests in Competitiveness of Yarmouth Company

Nova Scotia manufactures some of the best ambulances in the world, and thanks to a new provincial investment even more of these life-saving vehicles will soon be on the road.

Premier Darrell Dexter today, April 23, announced $2.4 million to help Tri-Star Industries expand its manufacturing facility in Yarmouth.

"Companies like Tri-Star are contributing to the strong and vibrant economic future of southwest Nova Scotia," said Premier Dexter. "The province is proud to make this investment that supports more than 60 good jobs, creates up to 16 more jobs and positions Tri-Star to become even more globally competitive.

"Helping businesses in all regions become more innovative, productive and competitive is what jobsHere, the plan to grow Nova Scotia's economy, is all about."

This investment enables Tri-Star to add up to 10,000 square feet of production space to its manufacturing facility, and helps with important upgrades to its machining, engineering, design, paint, testing and research and development facilities.

"This expansion will allow Tri-Star to move to the next level of production of the most efficient and safest ambulances available," said Tri-Star president and CEO Keith Condon. "Our ability to demonstrate our products here in Nova Scotia is a fundamental key to our international marketing strategy."

The provincial investment comes in the form of a 10-year repayable, interest-bearing loan from the Nova Scotia Jobs Fund.

The province continues to make strategic investments that are making life better for families in southwest Nova Scotia, including:

• $142,000 toward the new regional economic council
• More than $23 million since 2009 for roads and infrastructure in the area, including replacing Indian Sluice Bridge
• $8.8 million to help re-open Shelburne Ship Repair
• Up to $1 million a year for three years to support a ferry service between Digby and Saint John, N.B.
• $236,000 to upgrade the Shelburne Medical Clinic to better meet the needs of the community

Founded in Yarmouth in 1973, Tri-Star Industries is a custom vehicle manufacturer specializing in ambulances. The company has supplied its products to 45 countries since it began exporting in 1979.