Your monthly news & updates |
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Western Ontario Workforce Strategy Findings & Issues Report
Now Available
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Phase 2 of the Western Ontario Workforce Strategy is complete, the Findings and Issues Report is the result of extensive research and consultation within the region.
The Western Ontario Wardens region is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, based on estimates by EMSI, and by the provincial Ministry of Finance and its official population projections.
Total employment is expected to increase by over 51,000 through 2030, a growth rate of 8%. The sectors with the fastest expected growth over this period are health care, construction, manufacturing, retail trade and administrative and support services.
The larger requirement for new workers will come from replacement demand, replacing those leaving the workforce through retirement. The potential loss across the region could be close to 163,000 workforce participants. If the share of workers expected to retire over the 2020-2030 timeframe continues at the current pace, it would remove 163,000 people from the workforce. Combined the growth demand of new and expanding firms and replacement demand, will create 213,900 jobs over the 2020-2030 period that must be filled.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated workforce shortages in the WOWC that existed preCOVID.
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Visit Norfolk App Goes Live! |
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The Visit Norfolk App has only been live for a few days but has already become a local favourite.
Launched by the Norfolk County Economic Development Team, the Visit Norfolk App has replaced the County’s Experience Guide, which was previously printed as a hardcopy annually. It’s chock-full of information about local shopping, arts and culture, and numerous agri-tourism destinations – many highlighting unique offerings ONLY found in Norfolk County.
Craving a special place to eat? Planning a uniquely Norfolk adventure? Visit Norfolk can help. Plan your next weekend excursion, book a golf trip, locate hiking trails, or find the closest brewery for drinks once the day is done, all with a few taps of your smartphone or tablet.
The Visit Norfolk app is a two-year pilot project, funded with the support of the federal government’s Regional Relief and Recovery Fund grant program. It includes features like a dynamic map that shows visitors what is around them wherever they are, as well as a trip planning feature that allows users to save things that they see in a ‘favourites’ tab. Additional options that will help Norfolk better engage with various target tourism segments will be rolled out over time.
The app already contains the information for dozens of local companies and will receive consistent updates when new shops and festivals are announced.
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Ford Motor Company Parts Distribution Centre Coming to the
County of Brant
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The County of Brant is pleased to welcome the Ford Motor Company of Canada distribution centre to Paris, Ontario. The new state of the art parts distribution centre at the corner of Rest Acres Road and Highway 403, will be approximately 562,000 square feet. The facility will be one of two new parts distribution centres being constructed in Ontario replacing Ford’s 900,000 sq. ft. Bramalea facility in order to improve customer satisfaction and expedite parts delivery time to dealers.
“The County of Brant continues to search out and secure opportunities to stabilize and grow our local economy. This includes attracting and supporting small, medium and large businesses such as Ford,” said Mayor David Bailey. “We want to be a place where people can live, work and play all in their own community and attracting employers such as Ford, continues the County in the right direction.”
As the County continues to grow, it is important to balance the industrial, commercial and residential growth to stabilize the tax base and provide jobs for residents. To do this, the County has adopted a progressive, forward thinking approach to working with businesses. This includes a holistic approach to maintain and create new infrastructure, continually evolving the County’s economic development program and policies to attract business and collaborating with regional partners and stakeholders to ensure a positive outcome.
Construction began in May of 2021 and structural steel erection has commenced on site. Completion of the new facility is slated for December 2022.
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Ontario gives Middlesex manufacturers, agri-food firms $6M boost |
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The Ontario government is supporting an investment of nearly $43.2 million by London-area manufacturers to strengthen domestic manufacturing and agri-food production and attract investment in the local economy. The province is investing more than $6 million in five London-area businesses through the Regional Development Program, which will help create 134 jobs and retain 133 jobs.
Shogun Maitake is investing more than $31.2 million to build a new production facility in Thames Centre, which will process Maitake mushrooms for the agri-pharm and bio-pharmaceutical industries. With $4.5 million from the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, the company will purchase new processing equipment for an innovative state-of-the-art facility that will enhance productivity and make production more efficient. The investment will grow the company’s total revenues and employment, creating 60 new jobs and retaining two existing positions. Shogun Maitake is a producer of Maitake mushrooms, sold in various forms including fresh, dried, and ground or extracted. The company’s competitive advantage is the quality of their products, which are also used in clinical studies for cancer research.
Arva Industries is investing more than $2.1 million to expand its plant in St. Thomas and purchase equipment for the engineering design and build of 12 hybrid rail-bound crane cars for New York City Transit. With more than $312,000 from the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, Arva Industries will be more efficient and meet delivery dates on this milestone contract – the company’s largest to date. The project will create six new jobs and retain 49 existing positions. Arva Industries is an Ontario-based company with global reach, manufacturing underground mining and railway maintenance equipment for the transportation industry.
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Congratulations to EDCO's
Top Ten
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Congratulations to all of the recipients of the first EDCO Top Ten. Special mention to the Economic Developers from Western Ontario who received this inaugural honour;
April Marshall Economic Development Manager, Town of Hanover
Karisa Downey Manager, Economic Development, County of Dufferin
Cephas Panschow Development Commissioner, Town of Tillsonburg
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Ontario Helps Industrial Sites Become Investment Ready Sooner |
The Site Readiness Program is a funding initiative to help industrial sites become more equipped to attract investment. Sites of five acres or more and with varying capacity for utility servicing are eligible to apply.
The one-year program will allow both urban and rural municipalities to help close a critical gap in the inventory of industrial lands used to attract global investment opportunities.
The pilot will allow landowners to complete the program in one year or less and identify which site preparatory work to complete.
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Governments Investing in Innovative Solutions to Boost Agri-Food Sector |
The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $10.21 million through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership) to help the agri-food sector adopt on-farm solutions and best practices that will grow their business, create jobs and drive economic growth.
Farmers and other businesses can use the funding to improve their operations, food safety and animal health, develop new products and processes and access new markets. Businesses can apply for the program starting on November 15, 2021 until December 6, 2021.
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Western Ontario Community Futures NEW website is now LIVE! |
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Our new site offers visitors around the region opportunities to be informed about the Community Futures and SOFII Program. Individual CFDC offices are featured, including highlights of upcoming webinars, training, grant programs and employment opportunities.
As you navigate the new site, take time to watch some amazing client success stories and try our new feature, "Find My Office". Simply click on "Find My Office" and add your postal code. Once complete you will be provided contact information for your local CFDC office.
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