The Great GORP Project (TGGP) of Niverville is one of three Canadian businesses recently recognized for their innovation and contributions to the Canadian workforce. The funding is being distributed through the Western Innovation Initiative (WINN), a program of the federal government whose mandate it is to provide stimulus loans to western Canadian companies.
The WINN program promotes the development and diversification of the western Canadian economy by assisting qualifying businesses with financial support to help them accelerate the commercialization of innovative products, processes, and services. This, in turn, supports the creation of jobs and growth. According to Western Economic Diversification Canada’s (WEDC) website, attracting early-stage capital for technology commercialization has been identified as a key challenge for small- to medium-sized businesses in western Canada.
“I was extremely humbled and honoured to have been chosen to receive this investment from the WEDC program,” says Colleen Dyck of TGGP. “The interest-free, repayable loan will help me manage my cashflow at this critical time of innovation and development for my energy bar business.”
Dyck says the $77,500 she received will be used to launch a brand-new product line she calls the GORP Clean Energy Bar Ready-Mix.
“The energy bar ready-mix is a completely new concept and product… and we are really excited about the splash this is going to make in our retail presence,” says Dyck. “This idea came about approximately one year after GORP bars were on the market. I kept hearing from parents that they were buying the bars and hiding them from their kids because, let’s face it, at three dollars per bar [in the retail stores] it can add up fast when you have an army of little munchers raiding the pantry.”
The new ready-mix product will come in packaging similar to a cake mix and allow GORP bar lovers to make their very own bars at home with the addition of just a few wet ingredients. The mixes will be available in all of the same flavours people have come to love and will even include pre-made bags with re-sealable stickers like the traditional bars.
“This is a great way for families to experience [making their own] high-quality, functional bars at a fraction of the price,” Dyck says. “The ready-mix is designed to be pressed into a traditional cookie pan and will produce 25 to 35 bars for under a dollar per bar.”
Due to the volume of ingredients they purchase, TGGP is able to provide the ready-mix at a much lower cost than if people were to source healthy, local ingredients on their own.
“Our customers have told us that the barrier to them making their own bars is the sheer expense and time needed to do it,” Dyck adds. “I felt terrible because the bars people most often can afford to give their kids are filled with the cheapest ingredients out there. We provide all the high-quality—and sometimes hard-to-find—ingredients that already go into our GORP bars. The ready-mix is an easy way to provide value and economy of time and money all at once and our customers are excited about it!”
Niverville’s Council Talks Multifamily Housing and Density Targets
May 07, 2024 | 1:15 pm
On Tuesday, May 7, Niverville’s council met for a morning public meeting that largely revolved around multifamily housing starts and the town’s requirement to meet specific density targets set...
Read moreOn Tuesday, May 7, Niverville’s council met for a morning public meeting that largely revolved around multifamily housing starts and the town’s requirement to meet specific density targets set...
Read moreManitoba Wildfire Risk Still High, Warn Officials
May 06, 2024 | 6:24 pm
Despite a week of generally wet weather across the province, the Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC) is warning Manitobans that the risk of wildfires remains high. According to the OFC, there...
Read moreDespite a week of generally wet weather across the province, the Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC) is warning Manitobans that the risk of wildfires remains high. According to the OFC, there...
Read moreLet the Battle Begin: Introducing the Niverville Pizza Wars
May 03, 2024 | 9:34 am
The Niverville Pizza Wars are set to take place May 3–10. The Niverville Chamber of Commerce has welcomed all pizzerias and restaurants in Niverville to compete in the friendly one-week...
Read moreThe Niverville Pizza Wars are set to take place May 3–10. The Niverville Chamber of Commerce has welcomed all pizzerias and restaurants in Niverville to compete in the friendly one-week...
Read moreDentist Opt-In Low for New Federal Dental Care Plan
May 02, 2024 | 2:23 pm
In December 2023, the federal government began rolling out a new publicly funded dental care plan, intended to make oral healthcare more accessible to lower income earners across the country. So...
Read moreIn December 2023, the federal government began rolling out a new publicly funded dental care plan, intended to make oral healthcare more accessible to lower income earners across the country. So...
Read moreSummer Street Repairs Soon Underway in Niverville
May 01, 2024 | 6:37 pm
It wouldn’t be summer in Manitoba without street construction crews redirecting traffic or slowing down the daily commute. At least one major repair and a variety of minor repairs are planned for...
Read moreIt wouldn’t be summer in Manitoba without street construction crews redirecting traffic or slowing down the daily commute. At least one major repair and a variety of minor repairs are planned for...
Read moreTim’s Smile Cookie Campaign to Boost Mobility Van Project
May 01, 2024 | 4:54 pm
From April 29 until May 5, Tim Hortons is running their annual Smile Cookie fundraiser. This year, the Niverville location at 20 Drovers Run is raising money to aid in the purchase of two new...
Read moreFrom April 29 until May 5, Tim Hortons is running their annual Smile Cookie fundraiser. This year, the Niverville location at 20 Drovers Run is raising money to aid in the purchase of two new...
Read moreTalk to the Tail Opens Expansive New Facility
May 01, 2024 | 1:12 pm
Talk to the Tail, a dog daycare facility in Niverville, is about to expand to a second location. The 5,000-square-foot building at 455 Wittick Street, in the Niverville Industrial Park, has been...
Read moreTalk to the Tail, a dog daycare facility in Niverville, is about to expand to a second location. The 5,000-square-foot building at 455 Wittick Street, in the Niverville Industrial Park, has been...
Read moreHSD Trustees Face Scrutiny Following New Discrimination Allegations
Apr 30, 2024 | 4:41 pm
For the second time since 2016, the Hanover School Division’s (HSD) trustees are under fire over accusations of discrimination. In both of the cases, the concerns revolve around the division’s...
Read moreFor the second time since 2016, the Hanover School Division’s (HSD) trustees are under fire over accusations of discrimination. In both of the cases, the concerns revolve around the division’s...
Read moreTo what degree do minimum wage increases, or the switch to a living wage, benefit the economy and low-income earners here in Manitoba?
For related article, see www.nivervillecitizen.com/...