ECBC Website - News Release

SYDNEY, NOVA SCOTIA -A new local business, Helix Digital Incorporated, has established an animation studio in Sydney, which will use classical techniques to provide colouring and camera work on animated productions for television and film. Now, animated television programs similar to the ones many of us grew up watching such as Looney Toons, The Flintstones, The Simpsons - can be produced right on Cape Breton Island. The project is creating 31 sustainable jobs, with assistance of $608,773 from the Government of Canada.

Funding through Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC), Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC) and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) was announced at the official opening today by the Honourable Bernie Boudreau, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister responsible for Nova Scotia, on behalf of the Honourable Jane Stewart, Minister of HRDC, and the Honourable George Baker, Secretary of State for ECBC and ACOA.

“The opportunities afforded by the rise in information technology is enabling Cape Bretoners to participate in the global entertainment industry. The establishment of this new digital media company is further strengthening that sector,” said Senator Boudreau. “The Government of Canada supports this project because it will contribute to the region’s economic development by creating immediate jobs and by seizing the potential of the knowledge economy.”

In addition to HRDC’s contribution of $411,122 under the Canada Jobs Fund, ECBC is providing a loan of $147,651 through the Business Development Program and a contribution of $100,000. The company will invest the remaining amount in this $3-million project. The provincial government previously announced assistance for the project in the form of a payroll rebate of up to $642,000 over five years.

A joint venture of Ottawa-based Funbag Animation Studio, PIP Animation Services and imX Communications of Halifax, Helix Digital Inc. is bringing the expanding global entertainment industry to Cape Breton Island.

The company’s operation is located in 1,752 square feet of space in the Silicon Island Art and Innovation Centre - Sydney's state-of-the-art high tech incubation centre. The facility includes 16 digital workstations and five administrative workstations. Technical equipment consists of full digital communications hardware to provide production connectivity with animation producers around the world.

“Our parent companies bring international reputations in television and film animation to the table,” said Richard Lorway, General Manager of Helix Digital. “These relationships will result in a consistent workflow through our facility and help us develop our own quality reputation within the industry.”

The Canada Jobs Fund is a $110-million-per-year permanent program that focuses on economic growth and employment in communities with high unemployment rates, particularly those located in rural, coastal and northern regions. This fund builds on the success achieved through the Transitional Jobs Fund, a three-year job creation program, which created over 30,000 new jobs through nearly 1,100 projects across Canada.

Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation offers programs in support of economic development initiatives and is responsible for delivering Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s programs on Cape Breton Island and in the Mulgrave area.

This project has been reviewed to ensure that Human Resources Development Canada’s funding is in compliance with the Department’s improved administration of its Grants and Contributions Programs.

PROJECT SUMMARY

Government of Canada contribution: $411,122 under the Canada Jobs Fund

Number of jobs expected to be created: 31