PrairiesCan investment through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative will help the Brandon manufacturer bring more production in-house and grow sales across Canada

BRANDON, MB, Sept. 11, 2026 /CNW/ -- New unjustified U.S. tariffs are creating real challenges for businesses across the Prairies. Yet businesses across the region are adapting and persevering, drawing on the ingenuity, resilience, and determination that have long defined the Prairie economy.

As Canadian businesses reorient to a trading relationship with the United States that has changed dramatically and may never return to what it once was, companies are investing to strengthen their competitiveness, diversify their markets, and build more resilient supply chains. Atom-Jet Industries is one example. The Brandon manufacturer is bringing more production in-house and expanding direct sales in Canada and abroad, reducing costs, improving efficiency, and becoming less reliant on U.S.-linked markets and customers.

The Government of Canada is acting decisively to protect workers, defend Canadian industries and support companies like Atom-Jet as they adapt to tariff-related uncertainty. Canada's counter-tariff actions, combined with targeted investments such as the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI), are helping businesses manage immediate pressures while positioning them for long-term growth. On August 25, 2026, the Government of Canada announced an additional $1.5 billion through RTRI to help tariff-affected small and medium-sized businesses address liquidity concerns, diversify markets, boost productivity, reduce costs, and strengthen domestic supply chains.

Today, Ginette Lavack, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for St. Boniface–St. Vital, on behalf of the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), announced $1,000,000 through RTRI for Atom-Jet Industries.

The investment will support a 4,000 square-foot expansion of Atom-Jet's Brandon facility and allow the company to bring powder coating and sandblasting in-house. These changes will help reduce production costs and lead times while increasing production capacity.

Atom-Jet will also expand direct-to-customer sales in Canada and Australia, helping diversify its customer base and reduce reliance on original equipment manufacturer customers and the U.S. market.

Quotes
"The Canada-U.S. trading relationship has changed dramatically, and Canadian businesses are responding by strengthening domestic supply chains, diversifying markets, and investing in their long-term competitiveness. Atom-Jet Industries is a strong example of that leadership, bringing more production in-house and expanding into new markets. Through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, our government is helping businesses make the investments they need to adapt, create good jobs, and build a stronger, more resilient Canadian economy."
–The Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)

"Atom-Jet is doing what Prairie businesses do best: adapting, investing and finding new opportunities. By bringing more production home to Brandon and reaching new customers across Canada, the company is becoming more resilient in a chancing trade environment. We're proud to support businesses like Atom-Jet as they respond to tariff pressures, diversify their markets and create the conditions for long-term growth."
–Ginette Lavack, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for St. Boniface–St. Vital

"Atom-Jet is privileged to be part of the initiatives and funding PrairiesCan has put forward.  Atom-Jet's goal is to grow nationally and globally, adding new equipment and technology is a major part of our strategy, and it is great to have the support and same mindset from our federal government by way of PrairiesCan."
–Barry LaRocque, Owner & President, Atom-Jet Industries

Quick facts

• On August 25, 2026, the Government of Canada announced an additional $1.5 billion through RTRI to support tariff-affected small and medium-sized businesses, bringing the total investment in the initiative to $3.45 billion nationally.
• The additional RTRI funding is part of the federal government's $7.5-billion Canada Strong package for workers and businesses affected by U.S. tariffs.
• PrairiesCan is now accepting RTRI funding applications from eligible businesses including manufacturers and processors that need immediate tariff-related liquidity support, and help them pivot to diversify their markets, create new export revenue sources, adopt innovative technologies that boost productivity and competitiveness, and build more resilient supply chains.
• Atom-Jet Industries is a Brandon-based manufacturer of agricultural equipment and systems used in seeding, fertilizer application and farm machinery.
• Atom-Jet will add 4,000 square feet to its Brandon facility and bring powder coating and sandblasting in-house.
• The company is working to increase direct sales in Canada and Australia.
• The project is expected to create eight new jobs in Brandon.

Associated links

• Canada Strong - Canada.ca
• Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) in the Prairie provinces
• Government of Canada announces support for Prairie businesses facing trade challenges
• Prairie businesses impacted by global trade disruptions can now apply for funding through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI)

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SOURCE Prairies Economic Development Canada