Funding and grants to automate your food processing plant in British Columbia

If you want to find out whether you are eligible for funding programs to automate your business in British Columbia, this article is here to help you in your search.

You can find our article on federal programs via this link:

you can also find programs for other provinces via these links:

• Ontario

• Quebec

• Alberta

• Nova Scotia

British Columbia offers a dense ecosystem of financial support for food and beverage manufacturers, with programs combining provincial grants, regional federal agencies, energy incentives, and tax credits.

The BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund (BCMJF) is a $180 million provincial program designed to support high value-added industrial and manufacturing projects in British Columbia, particularly in the food and beverage sector. In 2025, more than $6.6 million was invested in seven food manufacturing companies across the province to fund the purchase of advanced manufacturing equipment, increase production, and create new local jobs.

• Financial assistance: Contributions of up to $10 million per project for companies with strong economic impact.

• Eligible projects: Purchase of advanced manufacturing equipment, expansion of production capacity, integration of new product lines, construction or expansion of facilities.

• Learn more:BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund – Government of B.C.

PacifiCan is the federal regional development agency for British Columbia. Its Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) program supports companies that adopt innovative technologies to improve their productivity and competitiveness. The Jobs and Growth Fund is also available to support job creation and economic growth in the province.

• Financial assistance: Repayable contributions for automation, equipment purchase, and expansion projects. The fund has invested $85.4 million in British Columbia under the Jobs and Growth Fund.

• Learn more:PacifiCan – Government of Canada

Launched in 2022 with a $16.5 million investment from federal and provincial governments, BCCAI supports agritech innovation in B.C. by creating jobs, training skilled workers, and fostering collaborations between industry, government, and academic institutions for the development and adoption of technologies in the agri-food sector.

• Learn more:Agritech innovation and technology – Government of B.C.

The CleanBC Industry Fund finances projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions in industrial sectors in British Columbia. For food plants, energy efficiency projects related to automation (heat recovery, refrigeration improvements, conversion to less energy-intensive equipment) may be eligible. BC Hydro and FortisBC also offer incentive programs for energy efficiency in industrial processes.

• Learn more:CleanBC Industry Fund – Government of B.C.