The Ontario government has announced a major economic boost for Brantford with a $192 million investment from Hilton Foods Canada to establish its first North American food processing and distribution facility in the city.
The project is expected to create 150 new, good-paying jobs and further cement Ontario’s role as a key player in the global agri-food sector.
To support the UK-based company’s expansion into Canada, the province is contributing $1.5 million through the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, part of its broader Regional Development Program.
The funding aims to stimulate innovation, grow Ontario’s food manufacturing sector, and strengthen supply chains.
Hilton Foods Canada Inc. will construct a 230,000-square-foot facility in Brantford that will process beef, pork, lamb, and seafood products for distribution centres across Eastern Canada, including Mississauga, Cornwall, and Moncton.
“Hilton Foods’ decision to establish its first North American facility in Ontario is a testament to the robust business environment our government has worked to create,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.
“We will continue to make strategic investments to protect Ontario’s economy and create good-paying jobs”, he added.
Construction officially began this week.
“Today is an exciting milestone and the official start of construction on our very first Hilton Foods facility in Canada,” said Matt Lee, Regional CEO of Hilton Foods.
“This is the beginning of a long-term commitment to Ontario’s food supply chain and to the future of high-quality Canadian food products.”
Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, called the investment a “tremendous vote of confidence” in Ontario’s economy and agri-food workforce, while Will Bouma, MPP for Brantford–Brant, welcomed Hilton Foods to the region, highlighting the “spin-off jobs” expected to benefit the local economy.
Launched in 2019, Ontario’s Regional Development Program has to date supported more than 165 projects, leveraging $2.1 billion in private-sector investments and creating over 4,000 jobs.
The government is also enhancing the Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit, committing an additional $1.3 billion over three years to help businesses invest in manufacturing-related infrastructure.
Applications for the next intake of Regional Development funding opened on June 19, 2025.
