Roger Bayfest earns provincial distinction2010-03-05
From www.theobserver.ca The observer
Organizers of Sarnia's famous music festival added another feather to their caps this week.
Rogers Bayfest was named a "Festival of Distinction," at the annual Festivals & Events Ontario (FEO) Conference being held in Ottawa.
Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism and Culture, made the announcement Thursday night at the conference, where both Michele Stokley, and her nephew Nick, are in attendance.
Bayfest landed a position on the province's "Top 100 Festivals and Events," which will officially be announced Saturday.
From that list, about 20 events are acknowledged as "Festivals and Events of Distinction," selected by the FEO on the basis of their ability to generate significant international, trans-border, domestic or intra-provincial travel, while commanding top levels of consumer awareness and respect from peers in the genre in which they operate.
"It's really the creme-de-la-creme of events and festivals," said Gary Masters, executive director of FEO. "They're amongst the very best."
Bayfest was founded by Stokley and her late husband Jim more than a decade ago.
In recent years, the event has attracted fans from across the globe.
Today, more than three-quarters of Bayfest's attendees are from outside Sarnia-Lambton.
"We're talking international superstars," said Masters, noting acts like Bon Jovi, Tim McGraw and KISS. "It's great for the economy."
A recent economic study noted that Bayfest brings in some $5 million to the local economy, annually.
Last year's Festivals and Events of Distinction honours included Kitchener's "Oktoberfest," Toronto Caribana, the Niagara Falls Festival of Lights, and the Toronto International Film Festival.
Earlier this week, Bayfest was nominated as one of the top four contenders for "Best Festival in Canada," by the Canadian Event Industry Awards (CEIA).
Observer Article ID# 2478553
Small company bucks recession2010-02-18
From www.theobserver.ca The Observer
By Tara Hogan
A local company that makes fibreglas piping is expanding, and posting some impressive job creation numbers in the process.
In four years Ershigs Inc. has grown from eight to 60 employees and recently moved into a new 55,000-square-foot facility to accommodate the growth in business.
"It's basically because the market we're in is a highly-engineered market that demands high-quality products," general manager Michael O'Donnell said Thursday during a grand opening celebration of the new location on Kenny Street, in the Vidal Street Industrial Park.
Ershigs had previously been housed at a 16,000 square-foot facility on Williams Drive.
The company manufactures fibreglas piping systems, primarily for pollution-control and coal-fired power plants in the United States.
The surge in growth at the local plant is the result of rising demand for fibreglas reinforced plastics, or FRP, used in those power plants, said Steve Hettick, vice president of manufacturing.
Driving the push is new clean air legislation south of the border.
"There's some longevity to this," Hettick said. "We're producing equipment to improve the environment."
The entire product is manufactured in Sarnia, added O'Donnell. "The pipe, the fittings and then it's assembled in the piping facility."
Robert Bennett, president and CEO of Denali Inc., Ershigs' parent company, was on hand for the event, and presented the plant's 60 employees with gain share cheques, for more than $1,000 each. It was the largest bonus given to employees, following an $80-million revenue year.
"We've been doing this for years — giving back to our employees," said Bennett, who traveled from Houston. "It's kinda nice — makes you feel good."
"It's quite a success story in the midst of a downturn in the economy," said Ross McEachran, who owns the Vidal Street Industrial Park (VIP), along with son Jon McEachran, who moved out of their offices and attached warehouse to allow Ershigs to move in.
"They're very busy here, and they've got lots of room for growth."
The McEachran's started the Vidal Industrial Park in 2005, when they purchased the old Fiberglas Canada site in Chemical Valley. The 33-acre site is one of the largest brownfield rejuvenation projects in southwestern Ontario. With the Ershigs move, it's now fully occupied.
"We're making use of what was once abandoned," said McEachran. "It's a good move, and a long-term commitment."
Observer Article ID# 2455628
Yara International plans purchase of Terra2010-02-16
From CHOK Radio
The Terra fertilizer plant near Courtright and its 100 employees could soon have a new owner.
Norwegian fertilizer company Yara International says it has agreed to acquire the U-S based Terra Industries for 4.1 billion dollars.
The Norwegian company says the boards of directors of both Yara and Terra approved the acquisition unanimously. The deal which is expected to close in
June would create the world's biggest mineral fertilizer producer.
Lowes coming to Sarnia2010-02-10
By Shawn Jeffords from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
One of North America's largest home improvement stores is coming to Sarnia.
Mayor Mike Bradley said Lowe's will build a store between Princess Auto and Temple Baptist Church on Quinn Drive. The 115,000-square-foot store could bring "significantly over one hundred" retail jobs to the city, Bradley said.
That project together with a new Winners store being built near Wal-Mart, is good news for the city, he said.
"To have two major retailers, including the second largest home improvement business in Canada, invest in Sarnia at this time is very significant," he said. " ... We've got two or three million dollars worth of investment to kick off the new year."
Representatives from Lowe's will speak at a committee of adjustment hearing in two weeks concerning parking issues at the proposed store. The big box outlet will be a little smaller than their usual stores, said Sarnia's planning and building department director Kim Bresee. "It's smaller than their normal footprint because Sarnia is a smaller market," he said. "They're trying a smaller store in a smaller market to see how it works."
Lowe's officials hope to begin construction in August and have the store open by Christmas.
The store will take the last available space on Quinn Drive, the city's go-to spot for big box development.
The street has become one of the busiest in the city, with between 25,000 and 30,000 vehicles traveling on it per day. Bresee said the city is looking at other areas to locate further commercial development.
"We're doing a major review of our official plan," he said. "Right now we're looking at commercial lands within the city and how much we need to designate to allow for future expansion."
Bradley credits the city's planning department for protecting farmlands north of Highway 402, a space Lowe's originally wanted to develop.
"We said no, we want to plan that area and do it right," he said. "They then looked at another location."
Observer Article #2443810
New pipeline proposed for Sarnia2010-02-10
By Paul Morden from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Word that a pipeline could be built from Pennsylvania to NOVA Chemicals' Corunna plant is good news for Sarnia-Lambton, local officials say. The pipeline company Buckeye Partners L.P. and NOVA have signed a memorandum of understanding to evaluate and develop a mixed natural gas liquids pipeline from the Marcellus Basin in Pennsylvania to Corunna.
"That is a very good piece of news," said Ray Curran of the Sarnia Construction Association. "Anything that helps NOVA helps the community."
Natural gas liquids carried in the pipeline would be used principally as petrochemical feedstock. NOVA spokesperson Greg Wilkinson said the proposal is in its early stages "but we're certainly excited about the potential." The Union Pipeline Project is subject to final agreements and regulatory approvals. Buckeye would develop, build, own and operate the pipeline, and it's expected to seek out other potential customers in Sarnia-Lambton, a news release states.
"It bodes well for the security of jobs we have currently with NOVA Chemicals, and others in the community that purchase products from NOVA," said St. Clair Township Mayor Steve Arnold.
"It's good news they're still looking at this as a prime area for investment and I'm really encouraged for our whole community." Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, chairperson of the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership, called the pipeline proposal a positive step "because it gives strength to the local industrial base."
Wilkinson said, "We think the project has significant potential benefits" for both companies, as well as the Sarnia region and natural gas producers in the Marcellus Basin. "It's the largest unconventional natural gas deposit in the world," Wilkinson said, adding it is "expected to significantly change the natural gas market in North America." The Chemical Valley's location makes it a natural market for the deposit's gas liquids, he said. "For our business in Sarnia, particularly our Corunna cracker, competitive feedstock is the key to our success," he said. "Finding an additional source of competitive feedstock, like this Marcellus shale, helps ensure the commercial sustainability of our Sarnia operations." Wilkinson said NOVA currently buys feedstock from Western Canada, the U.S., and offshore. The Corunna site is one of several plants NOVA operates in Sarnia-Lambton.
Bradley said the economic partnership has been looking for ways that government can help petrochemical industries, particularly the refinery sector where there appears to be an overcapacity in North America. "Refineries are being shut in the U.S. and we just had one shut in Montreal," he said. "It's my view that the petrochemical industry is the Rodney Dangerfield of industries in Canada. There isn't respect shown by other levels of government to what a wealth creator it is." Bradley said the partnership is concerned about the impact changes in the international marketplace are having on local refineries and petrochemical plants. "We have competition we haven't had before." That why the announcement about the pipeline proposal is a "positive step forward" for the area, he said.
Observer Article ID# 2444027
Getting bigger2010-02-10
Smart Centres has taken out another building permit at its Sarnia retail site. 1.8 million dollars will be spent erecting yet another retail building on the northeast corner of the big box development anchored by WalMart. The identity of the future occpuants have yet to be announced, although a large sign installed nearby several months ago indicates a new Winners store is on the way.
Retail growth2010-02-10
From CHOK Radio
The second-largest home improvement retailer in the world has set
its sites on the Sarnia market. Blackburn Radio News has learned
that Lowes Home Improvement Warehouse is the planned tenant of a
proposed 115 thousand square foot big box store on Quinn Drive.
The city is currently dealing with MEDD Development Group of
Tecumseh. City Planning Director Kim Bresee says a Committee of
Adjustment hearing next week will consider requested parking
relief.
Biodiesel tested in Sarnia2010-02-05
By Tyler Kula www.theobserver.ca The Observer
A recent study undertaken at Imperial Oil in Sarnia has yielded new insight into the use and storage of heating and transportation fuel containing biodiesel. The study was jointly funded by Imperial, the Canadian Petroleum Products Institute (CPPI) and the Canadian government's National Renewable Diesel Demonstration Initiative. It found that up to 10% biodiesel in heating oil shouldn't cause furnace performance issues, limiting saturated monoglycerides can help avoid filter plugging, especially in cold weather, and antioxidants can help product stability in long term storage.
"All of that information is intended eventually to advance the understanding and to make sure that, as this product is introduced into the Canadian marketplace, the consumer will be well protected," said Gilles Morel, director of fuel for CPPI.
The results -- detailed reports of which can be found at www.cppi.ca -- have drawn attention from the Canada General Standards Board and its U.S. counterpart, he said. "The main intent of that work was to try to better understand the mechanism or to understand some of the known potential issues with biofuel," he said. Heating oil with biodiesel is already used in Europe and some parts of the U.S., Morel said, but testing was needed to ensure it was suitable for Canadian climates.
There were 57 different diesel blends tested at the Imperial research facility, with $202,000 coming from the federal government.
The Canadian Oil Heating Association, Canadian Trucking Alliance, Canadian Renewable Fuels Association and several industry players also provided assistance in the study.
2009 construction levels among Sarnia's highest yielding years2010-01-27
For further information:
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, Board Chair
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
519-332-0330
mayor@sarnia.ca
George Mallay, General Manager
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
519-332-1820
mallay@sarnialambton.on.ca
For Immediate Release
Sarnia-Lambton, ON, CDA; January 27, 2010 – With the value of new construction in Sarnia totalling close to $100 million, 2009 concluded within the top five highest yielding years for planned development in the city’s history.
Year-end building permit figures recently released by the Ontario-Michigan border city showed that the value of new construction in Sarnia during 2009 surpassed 2008 levels by more than $4.6 million. The number of building permits issued by the city was also up by almost seven percent.
“This rate of increase is significant, as it confirms that people from both within and outside the city have confidence in our ability to continue to grow and prosper,” said Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, board chair of the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership. “Given our momentum from last year’s performance, along with current and pending projects, we’re optimistic that a trend of solid growth will continue into 2010.”
In December, building permits were issued for new and expanding developments for residential, institutional, commercial, and industrial uses, noted Mayor Bradley. In residential development, the largest increase was in multi-family dwellings, which included the new apartment tower being constructed by the Tricar Group near Centennial Park on Sarnia’s waterfront.
“Building developments being planned for our area not only reflect a variety of economic sectors, but continue to represent both private and public interests,” noted George Mallay, the Economic Partnership’s general manager. “Those targeting Sarnia-Lambton for future projects should be encouraged by these very positive signs that our economic growth is broadly based.”
Sarnia-Lambton is growing a promising and sustainable, green future from its historic industrial roots and abundant natural features. Situated along the famous blue waters of Lake Huron and the St. Clair River, Sarnia-Lambton’s distinctive combination of modern city amenities, small town charm, quaint country corners, sandy beaches and recreational attractions are home to an increasing number of people and businesses. Visit www.sarnialambton.on.ca to see why the community is well positioned for “powering a sustainable world(TM).”
Snapshot: Sarnia’s New Development Progress
Top Five Years Value of New Construction
1. 2007 $195.3 million
2. 2006 $172.7 million
3. 1988 $107.1 million
4. 2009 $ 99.3 million
5. 2008 $ 94.3 million
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Bradley and Hein continue at helm of Economic Partnership2010-01-26
Today, Mayor Mike Bradley and Bruce Hein, owner of Express Employment Professionals, were acclaimed to their positions as Chair and Vice Chair of the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership Board of Directors. Lambton County CAO Ron Van Horne was also reappointed to his role as Secretary-Treasurer to the economic development agency. The three will continue their duties for an additional one year term.
The Economic Partnership is the flagship agency for economic development services for the City of Sarnia and County of Lambton. The Partnership is committed to implementing the Community Strategic Plan focussed on maintaining a competitive business environment, providing assistance to existing business and entrepreneurs, and attracting new investment and firms.
Other members of the board are:
Jim Burns, Warden, County of Lambton
Sue Drellick, HR Manager, Worley Parsons
Lloyd Fennell, City Manager, City of Sarnia
June Maruschak, President, Sarnia & District Labour Council
Tony Hanlon, President, Lambton College
Ron MacDougall, Farmer, Lambton County
George Mallay, GM, Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
Garry McDonald, President, Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce
Mike McDonough, GM, Sarnia-Lambton Business Development Corporation
Ross McEachran, President, Vidal Street Industrial Park, Inc.
Michael O’Donnell, GM, Ershigs, Inc.
Alex Palimaka, VP, Corporate Services & General Counsel, Bluewater Power
- ## -
George Mallay, General Manager
mallay@sarnialambton.on.ca
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
519-332-1820
www.sarnialambton.on.ca
Powering a sustainable world TM
MOE chooses Lambton to test wind turbine2010-01-25
From www.chok.com CHOK Radio
The Ministry of Transportation is going green, testing out a residential wind turbine at its Highway 402 truck inspection station east of Sarnia. The company that makes the device is pleased the ministry is considering installing the devices at other stations, province-wide. Ancaster based Cleanfield Alternative Energy installed the vertical axis wind turbine last July. Visible from the 402, CEO Tony Verrelli says the "egg beater" style turbine on a 42 foot tower, has generated a lot of interest. Verelli says everything but the generator on the $20,000 device is Ontario made. The turbine is expected to feed about 5,000 kilowatts of energy onto the grid each year.
Vote Sarnia onto the MONOPOLY Canada board game2010-01-13
Click here to see Hasbro Canada's media release.
Hasbro is launching a nation-wide vote to find Canada's 22 favourite cities - to be included on the new MONOPOLY Canada game board. Beginning January 11, 2010 at midnight ET, MONOPOLY fans can visit www.monopolyvote.ca to cast votes for their favourite Canadian cities to help create a new MONOPOLY Canada game board.
Hasbro Canada chose Sarnia as one of 65 "great Canadian cities" pre-selected for the top 20 city vote.
Cast your vote for Sarnia every day until February 7, 2010! The city that receives the most votes will be placed on the highest rent property traditionally held by Boardwalk.
Year end building stats fourth highest ever2010-01-07
From www.chok.com CHOK Radio
Despite the recession, 2009 building stats in Sarnia go into the history books as the fourth best of all-time. Construction values last year were almost five million dollars better than the year before, coming in at 99.3 million dollars. There were 802 building permits issued in 2009, 51 more than in 2008. Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley credits diverse investments locally. Meantime, 125 permits were issued for single family homes, 72 fewer than 2008. 128 permits were issued for multi-family units last year compared to 14 the year before. That's inflated by the 111 apartment units at the Tricar building on Front Street.
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