Ontario Welcomes $3.2 Million Manufacturing Investment in Oxford

March 10, 2026

The Straw Boss will create five new good-paying jobs

WOODSTOCK — The Ontario government is welcoming an investment of $3,267,406 by The Straw Boss, an Ontario-based producer of clean chopped straw and pellet bedding for the equine, poultry, and farm retail industry, to boost local manufacturing and create five new good-paying jobs in Oxford.

The investment was announced today by Ernie Hardeman, Member of Provincial Parliament for Oxford.

“By supporting strategic investments from regional businesses, our government is protecting Ontario’s workers and creating the conditions for a strong, stable, and resilient economy that can weather any storm,” said MPP Hardeman. “The investment by The Straw Boss will support growth and innovation across the local manufacturing sector and create more good-paying jobs for workers and families in Oxford.”

With this investment, The Straw Boss will expand its Mount Elgin facility by 6,800 sq. ft., add new equipment, and increase power supply to the mill. These upgrades will increase efficiency and output to meet growing market demand for its products across North America.

“These funds supported a 6,000 square foot expansion, helped us secure new equipment and allowed us to hire 5 new staff,” said Mike Hendriksen, owner of The Straw Boss. “We’re excited to continue growing and expanding while creating good-paying jobs in the province.”

In support of this investment, the government is providing The Straw Boss with $483,136 in funding through the Regional Development Program’s Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF).

“Employing more than 800,000 workers across the province, Ontario’s manufacturing sector is the economic engine of our nation,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Our government is proud to support local companies like The Straw Boss as they expand their operations, and we thank them for their contributions to Ontario’s dynamic and growing manufacturing ecosystem.”

Ontario is investing over $230 million through its Regional Development Program to help manufacturers across the province grow while supporting distinct regional priorities. To date, Ontario has supported more than 180 projects through the program, leveraging more than $2.6 billion in new investments and helping to create over 5,500 jobs.