Biochemical industry key to growth2012-04-29
Biochemical industry key to growth by 2015: SLEP Biochemical industry key to grown by 2015: SLEP
By Heather Wright, www.sarniathisweek.com Sarnia This Week
SARNIA-LAMBTON - By 2015 the Sarnia Lambton Economic Partnership wants to see three new bio-based energy companies build plants in the region and 250 small businesses created.
That’s two of the key points of SLEP’s three-year strategic plan which was recently unveiled.
SLEP General Manager, George Mallay, says fossil fuels and the industries which support them will always play a vital role in the region’s economy but biochemical industries will be a strong growth area. He points to companies such as Solutions4CO2, which will capture carbon dioxide to help grow algae to produce bio pharmaceuticals and bio fuel, and BioAmber, which will use plants to create a bio-succinic acid to create plastics and things like spandex, as examples of that growth.
“There is real opportunity on the bio-side,” says Mallay. “There has been no real innovation since the 1970s in plastics…now bio is big. That’s where there is opportunity for Sarnia,” he says comparing it to Dow arriving in the community in the 1940s, sparking industrial growth.
Mallay says SLEP will also continue to help local industrial companies find ways to build equipment for Alberta’s oil sands project. That will include finding a harbour and a dedicated shipping route to that harbour for large equipment.
Mallay says growing small business will also be key in growing the local economy in the next three years. He says SLEP wants to see 250 new businesses, supporting 400 employees, by 2015.
Mallay says as the call center industry declines – NCO is set to close its 400 employee shop in Sarnia this spring – there are other opportunities. He points to large companies, such as Bell Canada and Sears, who have moved their call centers from places such as India back to North America.
“We’ve marketed the NCO property to 20 different site selectors,” says Mallay expressing hope that another IT or data processing firm will be interested.
SLEP also wants to see development in the agriculture community, specifically food production. SLEP has set a goal of attracting one food processor to the region by 2015. “We have access to lots of water (for food processing) and there are lots of sites in the county and the city.
The three-year plan also targets immigration growth above the provincial average, helping Lambton College get funding for a new medical facility and increase the university presence in the community.
The plan also calls for a rebranding of the community.
SLEP Chair, Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, says the ambitious goals can be met pointing to the fact that 10 years ago things such as the Research Park were only an idea.
“We’ve had struggles in the past,” he says. “Sarnia-Lambton can truly be a renaissance area in the future…We will prove the planners wrong about population growth and we will prove people outside this community which mock its image.”
Sarnia This Week Article ID# 3543022
Optimism for Sarnia's job market2012-04-21
By Cathy Dobson, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
The gloom of an 11% unemployment rate in Sarnia-Lambton lifted somewhat Friday with news that a great deal is being done behind the scenes to create jobs.
And at least one sector is experiencing growth and hiring professionals locally, say economic development officials.
“I feel optimistic,” said George Mallay, general manager at the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP).
His county-funded office has 11 staff committed to attracting new business and industry to the area.
“We have to serve both ends of the market, both skilled and semi-skilled jobs,” Mallay said.
He projects as many as 250 new businesses will open in Sarnia-Lambton by 2015, creating 400 jobs.
SLEP also expects to attract three new manufacturing plants in the next three years and to announce new tenants at the local research park.
There will also be new commercial ventures in the downtown core, related to the opening of the new public art gallery this year, said Mallay.
He released SLEP’s new three-year strategic plan at a breakfast attended by 160 community leaders at the Lambton Inn Friday.
Interest in the strategic plan’s release appeared to be heightened given the area’s recent economic challenges and job loss.
About 500 call centre and casino jobs are due to disappear within the coming weeks, with little on the horizon for unskilled or semi-skilled workers.
While efforts are underway to replace those jobs, Mallay said the picture is brighter at the other end of the hiring spectrum.
The city’s engineering sector is expanding and dozens of highly-skilled workers are being added to the local workforce.
“We will be hiring two dozen or more engineers and project management people in Sarnia,” confirmed Leslie Quinton, vice-president of global corporate communications for SNC Lavalin Inc. on Front Street North.
The new jobs are permanent positions needed for projects both in Sarnia and elsewhere, Quinton said.
“We expect to have modest growth between now and the end of the year.”
Other industry insiders say engineering firms in Sarnia are hiring permanent and contract positions this spring. Some jobs are being filled in anticipation of proposed Sarnia-based projects still to be confirmed.
WorleyParsons’ Sarnia office recently advertised for about 40 long-term positions, including senior, intermediate and junior engineering and project management personnel.
“Not all the projects they are hiring for are in Sarnia,” Mallay said. “But the work will be done in Sarnia.”
Many projects are in Alberta but there’s a shortage of skilled professionals for hire there, he said.
“It’s easier to attract and retain them in Ontario.”
Mallay’s strategic plan had more good news, this time for small business, historically responsible for a lot of local job creation.
There are some 7,000 businesses with fewer than 19 employees, a number that has remained steady despite the city’s economic challenges.
Over the next three years, Mallay said SLEP intends to:
• focus on attracting food processing plants, like the Dr. Oetker pizza plant that just located in London;
• try to attract another call centre that could use the space vacated by NCO on Modeland Road;
• leverage existing Information Technology and data processing initiatives at Lambton College;
• keep its key focus on the chemistry industry, the potential of Marcellus shale gas, biobased plants and oil sands opportunities.
Bio-tech firm setting up shop in Energy Park2012-04-12
From The Observer, www.theobserver.ca
A Canadian bio-tech company has announced its opening a 50,000 square foot research and development facility at TransAlta’s
Bluewater Energy Park in Sarnia.
Solutions4CO2 Inc. is working to capture and use waste carbon dioxide from industry to grow microalgae for use in the making
of pharmaceutical drugs, biofuels and other products.
The research and development facility is expected to initially employ between six and 10 people, said CEO Doug Kemp-Welch
said.
There are also plans to make Sarnia the company’s global headquarters, he said.
“All of our international research and development will be located there,” he said, adding several of the company’s joint
venture partners are also expected to be located at the Sarnia site.
“We’ve looked very, very diligently around North America for an ideal site, and Sarnia came out on top of the list,”
Kemp-Welch said.
The senior Solutions4CO2 official in Sarnia will be Doug Legge, the company’s vice-president of global operations.
He previously worked for Laidlaw Environmental Services, later Safety-Kleen, in Lambton and most recently was a
vice-president for a Salt Lake City based biomass gasification technology company.
“The Bluewater Energy Park is an ideal site, for not only this R and D facility, but for the first commercial facility we’re
looking to site,” Kemp-Welch said.
That future plant could employ as many as 50 people in 250,000 to 300,000 square feet of space, Kemp-Welch said.
“Optimistically, we hope to have it started in at least about 12 months.”
The Sustainable Chemistry Alliance, based at the University of Western Ontario Research Park, invested in Solutions4CO2 and
it was announced in the fall the company was planning a demonstration facility in Sarnia.
“We’re very excited about moving in and getting it up and running,” Kemp-Welch said, “and becoming an ever increasing part of
the local Sarnia economic scene.”
Peter Smith, TransAlta’s director of commercial management for Eastern Canada, said Solutions4CO2 is leasing part of a former
Dow Chemical building located on the St. Clair River.
“It’s a combination of offices and laboratories,” Smith said.
Kemp-Welch said TransAlta has been very supportive and also operates a co-generation facility in Sarnia “that produces the
feed stock we need for our process.”
He said Solutions4CO2 has taken possession of the space in the building at the energy park and is preparing to move in.
“You’ll start to see labs commissioned and some of the other R and D equipment starting to arrive on site this month,”
Kemp-Welch said.
Solutions4CO2 also announced this week it’s entering a joint venture with BARD Holdings, Inc., a U.S. based commercial-scale
algae production company.
The joint venture combines Solutions4CO2’s gas capture and infusion system with BARD’s algae cultivation and processing
system, according to Surajit Khanna, chairperson and CEO of Bard Holding, Inc.
“The area around Sarnia,” Khanna said in a press release, “also known as Chemical Valley, with its varied sources of CO2
emissions is an ideal location to base this world class research and development facility.”
Smith said the joint venture is the first tenant in TransAlta’s Bluewater Energy Park.
“It’s a bit of a breakthrough for us, getting that first one in,” he said. “Obviously, we’re hoping this is going to lead to
attracting some additional business in there.”
TransAlta acquired the 170-acre site from Dow Chemical after that company shut down its Sarnia operations.
Solutions4CO2 is a good fit with local initiatives to attract green and renewable industries, Smith said.
That has been one of the priorities of the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership and other groups based at the University of
Western Ontario Research Park on Modeland Road.
“We’re getting closer to the end result,” said Murray McLaughlin, president of the Sustainable Chemistry Alliance, a group
working to develop Canada’s bio-industry.
“We’re waiting for that shovel to get in the ground at Bio-Amber in April, as well.”
Montreal-based Bio-Amber Inc., is building an $80-million first-of-it’s-kind plant on part of the existing Lanxess site in
Sarnia. It will make biosuccinic acid from corn for use in plastics, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and other products.
paul.morden@sunmedia.ca
Spandex will stretch size of Sarnia plant2012-04-03
By Heather Wright, from www.sarniathisweek.com Sarnia This Week
The shovel hasn’t even hit the ground yet and BioAmber says it will more than double the size of its Sarnia biosuccinic acid plant.
And it’s all because of spandex.
BioAmber announced in September that it plans to build an $80million biosuccinic acid plant in the Chemical Valley. Succinic acid is one of the main chemical building blocks of everything from auto parts to packaging. BioAmber developed a product to make the formerly oil-based acid with plants instead. And the uses for the biosuccinic acid are growing.
During a recent conference in Sarnia held by the BioIndustrial Innovation Center Bio Amber Executive Vice President Mike Hartmann said the company is ready to produce chemical used in spandex.
“We successfully scaled up technology to make BDO...(for) spandex,” says Hartmann. “We’ve successfully used our biosuccinic acid from our French plant and have samples for customers to use.”
Spandex is used world wide in clothing. Hartmann says that means there is a huge market for the new bio-based version. “Customer demand seems to be very strong and a lot of people like what we’re doing,” says Hartmann.
And that is good news for Sarnia. When BioAmber announced the biosuccinic plant last year, it was already showing drawings for expansion. But Hartmann says using it in spandex has guaranteed that expansion.
“As we finish Sarnia One, we can go right to Sarnia Two and expand capacity and then use some of that capacity to make BDO.
“The total size (of the second phase) will be bigger in the future...it will actually be more than doubled.
“We are definitely going to be here for a while and keep building.”
Sarnia This Week Article ID# 3524080
Hiring now for Sarnia JYSK2012-03-10
By Cathy Dobson, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Extract from "Your Business" column
New jobs will be created when a new JYSK Bed, Bath and Home opens at 500 Murphy Rd. this summer.
JYSK has announced it is moving into the vacant area adjacent to the Real Canadian Superstore. It's not clear yet how large the store will be or how many will be hired. However, the space where formerly occupied by Winners and The Source is empty and appears to be under renovation.
JYSK bills itself as a “quality for less” store with affordable prices. It specializes in furniture, accessories, mattresses, bedding and outdoor products.
The company, which started in Denmark in 1979, is undergoing intense growth particularly in the Canadian market.
JYSK opened its first Canadian store in 1996 and now has 50 locations across the country. Locations closest to Sarnia include two in London and one in Windsor.
While no one from the company has yet to comment on the new store, JYSK Bed, Bath and Home is advertising for a store manager.
This is great news for the community, which has seen a fair number of new buildings constructed in the past year with few new retailers establishing themselves there. Take the Exmouth Street plaza where the LCBO is currently located. It will soon move to a new location on Quinn Drive now under construction. Moore's Men's Wear, in the same Exmouth Street plaza, is also moving to the new LCBO building on Quinn.
That sort of “shuffle” in retail space leaves a large amount of empty space. It's unknown if anything new is set to move in on Exmouth Street. Meanwhile, the building going up on Quinn is large enough for a third retailer, yet to be announced.
Rooftop solar panels planned2012-03-10
By Paul Morden, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
The start of construction on buildings equipped with rooftop solar panels could move ahead later this year at industrial parks in Warwick and St. Clair townships.
Montreal-based Real-Flex Business Parks announced plans in June last year for the $1.8-million projects in each community.
The solar panels are expected to be able to generate 250 kw of electricity.
Initially, construction was expected to begin early this year but vice-president Jon-Erik Dillon said the company is still completing paperwork needed for the solar panels.
“The capacity is there on the grid for us to do the project,” he said.
Marketing to attract commercial tenants for the 23,000-square-foot buildings should begin in the coming weeks, Dillon said.
But construction may not begin now until the fall as the company works to finalize plans and approvals for both sites in Lambton.
“We’re trying to do both developments at the same time,” Dillon said. “It just makes more sense.”
Observer Article ID# 3496785
Job prospects2012-03-09
From www.foxfm.com Fox 99.9 FM
An Alberta-based module fabrication company is expressing interest in the Sarnia area. Oak Point Energy was in attendance at a shipping conference in Sarnia Thursday. The company says operating in and shipping from southern Ontario would be less expensive than Alberta. Co-President & CEO Ken James tells Blackburn News the company would like to establish a 20-million dollar pilot facility in southern Ontario over the next year. Another 10 pilot plants would follow, after which the company would look at several full-scale builds, each worth around 150-million dollars.
Fabricated modules would be shipped to development and oil sands sites in Alberta and assembled there. James says each full-scale fabrication facility would employ some 15-hundred workers. The company hopes to start developing those by late 2013.
Chemistry sector deserves more attention2012-03-09
By Cathy Dobson, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Local leaders are knocking on the premier’s door to ensure the provincial government recognizes the full potential of the petrochemical, refining and bio-products sector.
They’ve requested a meeting with Premier Dalton McGuinty to convince him that the manufacturing of industrial bioproducts and fuels is just as important as other sectors like information technology, automotive and energy.
There’s been some provincial investment in bio-related projects, says George Mallay, general manager at the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP).
“But we think the opportunity is larger than the effort being directed at it. The chemistry sector could be given a higher level of priority,” he said.
Mallay hopes McGuinty will agree to sit down with a Sarnia delegation that includes politicians, industrial, labour, real estate, business and agricultural reps to talk about the importance of the chemistry sector to Ontario and to Canada.
Sarnia-Lambton is virtually the only region in Ontario that has the infrastructure to tap into the potential of the Marcellus shale and Alberta oil sands projects, Mallay said.
So, it’s up to local leaders to ensure there’s provincial support for associated development in Ontario, particularly in Sarnia-Lambton.
The province has invested in BioAmber’s Sarnia project that will see a worldscale bio-succinic acid manufacturing facility built in Chemical Valley.
The McGuinty government has also provided $10 million to the local Bioindustrial Innovation Centre.
But Mallay said much more needs to be done to create more jobs in southwestern Ontario.
“There’s a real opportunity for Ontario in industrial bio-products but we can’t do it on our own,” Mallay said. “Same with the oil sands. The province needs to be a key player for us.”
He said Conservative MPP Bob Bailey “does what he can for us,” but Sarnia-Lambton gets little provincial investment compared to other areas of the province.
“I don’t think we’re getting what we deserve,” Mallay said.
Apart from financial investment, the delegation is also going after regulatory processes and tax policies that are more attractive to the private sector.
“We continue to see high unemployment in southern Ontario and we really think this is an area where there’s opportunity for real job creation,” said Mallay.
Observer Article ID# 3496644
Manufacturer eyes Sarnia2012-03-09
By Daniel Punch, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
An Alberta oil sands company is looking to manufacture equipment in Sarnia, which could mean hundreds of millions of dollars for the local economy, officials say.
Oak Point Energy is seeking the right location to build modules for its oil-recovery technology. CEO Ken James visited Sarnia Thursday to meet with city officials and local businesses to discuss logistics.
The company is building a $20 million pilot steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) facility this year, with plans to build multiple $150 million facilities in the future.
Manufacturing is expensive in Alberta, and the province lacks the Ontario’s infrastructure and stable labour force, James said.
Sarnia has the skill and manufacturing facilities already in place, and its location on the St. Clair River would makes shipping modules to Alberta much easier, he said.
“There’s some tremendous opportunities in the Sarnia area,” James said.
The pilot facility will require 12 modules, 65 feet long and 14 feet wide. Each module could take up to a year to build.
If all goes well with the pilot, Oak Point Energy could require over 10 larger modules per year, said James.
“The job spin off of that alone would fill the shops in Sarnia,” James said.
Kel-Gor, Chemfab and LamSar have all been discussed as potential module fabricators. And Sarnia-Lambton has many smaller companies able to do the work, said Ray Curran of the Sarnia Construction Association.
This could be a major boost during slow times for Sarnia’s 5,000-man construction union work force, Curran said.
“Everything’s here, the shops are well set up, and they’re ready to work,” he said.
James met with mayor Mike Bradley for an hour Thursday.
The Sarnia Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP) has been working for years to convince Alberta businesses that Sarnia can support their manufacturing needs.
The efforts have not gone unnoticed, according to James.
“Sarnia is one of those rare places in North America that’s actually industry friendly,” James said.
The biggest obstacle facing the project is transportation.
Modules can easily be shipped on water from Sarnia to Thunder Bay, but getting from Thunder Bay to Manitoba is another story.
Infrastructure in what James calls the “400 miles of mystery” can accommodate 14-foot modules, but not the larger units Oak Point Energy plans to build in the future. For manufacturing in Sarnia to work, infrastructure projects are needed between Thunder Bay and Manitoba.
SLEP sent a letter to Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty Thursday requesting a meeting to discuss attracting investment to the province.
“It would be great to see Sarnia be the catalyst,” James said.
James plans to return to Sarnia on a regular basis, hoping to keep the wheels in motion. Repairing the broken relationship between Ontario and Alberta is an important step toward making the project work, he said.
Bradley believes the city is ready and the time is now.
“This is a now project, if its going to happen, decisions are going to be made in the coming months,” Bradley said.
Observer Article ID# 3496771
Ontario and the oil sands2012-03-08
By Heather Wright, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
There are jobs that can be created: Bradley
SARNIA-LAMBTON - Local politicians say the premier is being short-sighted when he runs down the Alberta oil sands.
Dalton McGuinty was on the defensive recently after the Alberta premier suggested he should be more supportive of oil sand development since Ontario stands to benefit from it.
But McGuinty wouldn’t give his support saying Canada’s high “petro dollar” was hurting Ontario.
“That has knocked the wind out of Ontario exporters and manufacturing in particular,” Mr. McGuinty told reporters in Toronto. “So if I had my preferences as to whether we had a rapidly growing oil and gas sector in the west or a lower dollar, I’ll tell you where I stand: with the lower dollar.”
McGuinty later clarified his remarks saying he would like to see all of Canada to do well, but didn’t apologize.
That has left Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley “puzzled.”
Bradley says Sarnia Lambton Economic Partnership has been making connections in Alberta’s oil patch for the past 18 months trying to link secondary manufacturers with oil sands producers who are desperate for help.
“There are jobs that can be created,” says Bradley. “They need the skills that are available here in Sarnia-Lambton...They’re 100,000 people short of skilled labour...they’re even going to Ireland to get it.”
Bradley says Ontario could be cashing in. And studies show there is money to be made. A Canadian Energy Research Institute study shows Ontario could create 65,000 jobs and $63 billion in economic spin offs from the oil sands in 25 years.
“If Canada wants to be a true energy superpower, that’s what (Prime Minister Stephen) Harper has talked about - it has to have this type of cooperation between provinces,” says Bradley.”
Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey agrees. He says more benefits could be realized if Ontario partnered with the private sector to build a new upgrader in Sarnia to refine oil sands crude.
“The material could be sent through an existing pipeline corridor to Sarnia to be refined. The economic benefits could be enormous,” said Bailey. “But Dalton McGuinty is too short-sighted to see that potential.”
Bradley says the premier may not want to link Ontario to the oil sands, preferring to stay the “green” course.
“Some days I feel like the fossil fuel/chemical industry is the Rodney Dangerfield of the energy industry because of the way it is treated by the provincial government,” he says, referring to the comedian who quipped he didn’t get respect. “We can’t change the dollar. The oil sands are still going to be developed. Why wouldn’t you take advantage of it?”
Observer Article ID# 3495192
Nova Chemicals gears up for expansion2012-03-07
By Paul Morden, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Nova Chemicals has a lot to talk about at a public open house it’s holding March 20 at the legion hall in Corunna.
The list includes a eight-kilometre pipeline Nova is seeking federal approval to build so it can move Marcellus shale ethane from an existing river crossing to the company’s Corunna plant.
Plus the company is studying expanding the plant’s ethylene production, increasing polyethylene production at its nearby Moore site, and building a new world-scale polyethylene plant in Sarnia-Lambton.
“It definitely is an exciting time for Nova’s eastern operations,” said spokesperson Rob Thompson.
The company is already at work converting the Corunna plant from using primarily oil-based feedstock to ethane.
Company officials said last year they expected that work to be completed for less than $250 million.
The pipeline project Nova is seeking regulatory approval for will allow it to connect to an existing valve site near La Salle Line and access ethane produced from the Marcellus Shale formation in the eastern U.S.
Nova also plans to build a shorter pipeline connecting its Corunna plant with the nearby Provident storage site.
“This emerging feedstock is an important opportunity to ensure our continued competitive economic viability, today and into the future,” Thompson said. “It’s a game changer.”
Ethane is less expensive, doesn’t have to be shipped as far and “it’s a cleaner technology in terms of the environmental impacts,” Thompson said. “Our hope is that we would be utilizing the feedstock by 2013.”
Last year, Nova announced a 10-year strategy it calls “Nova 2020” and said it’s studying expanding ethylene production at Corunna, as well as looking at the feasibility of building a new world-scale polyethylene plant in the Sarnia area and boosting production at its existing Moore facility.
Ethylene is used to make polyethylene, a material found in shrink wrap, trash cans, automotive parts and other consumer products.
Decisions on whether or not to go ahead with the new plant, and other production expansions, are expected be made later this year, Thompson said.
The open house runs 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion hall on Albert Street in Corunna.
“Public consultation is obviously very important to us, through this whole process,” Thompson said.
The company wants to make sure “our neighbours are engaged and informed in the process,” he said.
“That’s why we wanted to talk openly about all our plans.”
Nova Chemicals’ three plant sites in Sarnia-Lambton employ about 900 people.
The company, headquartered in Calgary, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the International Petroleum Investment Company of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Observer Article ID# 3492896
From Sarnia by water2012-03-06
By Heather Wright, fromwww.theobserver.ca The Observer
Manufacturers look to expand using Great Lakes to transport prefab equipment
SARNIA-LAMBTON - Sarnia-Lambton’s engineers, metal fabricators and industrial services companies have the technology and skill to make big bucks in Alberta’s oil sands. And the Great Lakes may increasingly be the corridor they use to get their products there.
The Sarnia Lambton Economic Partnership is exploring ways to ship large freight from Sarnia-Lambton to the west. It’s not a new idea, but it is a hot topic as the Sarnia Lambton Industrial Alliance looks for ways to cash in on the oil boom being created by the oil sands projects in places such as Fort McMurray.
George Mallay, general manager of SLEP, says some local business have already entered the Alberta market. LamSar, KelGor and Chemfab all have customers in Alberta. But Mallay wants to encourage more firms involved in engineering, metal fabrication and industrial services to look to the west.
“There is a significant opportunity to do more manufacturing of modules (machinery which can be transported and then set up on site),“ says Mallay.
"We have an opportunity to secure an opportunity to fill those gaps.”
Using the Great Lakes waterway is an economical way of getting the products made in Sarnia Lambton to Alberta.
“The key thing with Sarnia is getting the product to a harbour site and then putting it on a barge to get it to Thunder Bay or Duluth and then onto the rail to Alberta.”
SLEP is hosting a forum about shipping large goods tomorrow (March 8). Officials from the Port of Thunder Bay, and CN will be on hand.
And while Mallay hopes to spur more business to use the Great Lakes as the gateway to cashing in on the oil sands, there are still some things which need to be worked out locally. Mike Banovsky, co-chair of the Sarnia Lambton Industrial Alliance, says the key to opening up the west is improving access to Sarnia's waterfront.
"We see a big opportunity in Alberta shipping these units, but we want to make a corridor for other fabricators and machine shops to use," he says. "That the (hydro and communications) wires are either buried or (strung) higher. It makes it easker for everybody to use the dedicated path.
"We're trying to make it so everybody knows the costs of shipping," he adds. "Contractors quoting on the price of those thingse know the cost of the pipe, know the cost for the welding...the challenge or the scary part is when you start shipping these things...If you get hung up with some wire, everyone has to get involved - hydro and police - and your costs start to go up."
Banovsky, who worked in industry for years and dealt with shipping projects for ChemFab, says making it easier to use the Great Lakes would "make our shops more competitive for the business out west ...with all the work in Alberta, we could fill up shops in Sarnia-Lambton if we could get a dedicated corridor."
But Mallay says finding the solutions to any obstacles could expand business in more than just Alberta’s oil fields. “We’ve specialized for the oil sands projects, but it (the Great Lakes transportation route) can also serve other industries. It could be for mining or the petrochemical industry,” says Mallay. “We’re looking for solutions to make things better.”
Observer Article ID# 3491696
Lanxess invests $10 million in BioAmber2012-02-24
From www.sarnialambton.on.ca The Observer
Aiming to establish the ‘largest bio-industrial park in Canada’
A bio-industrial company with plans to build a world-scale plant in Sarnia has received a major investment from a local partner.
Lanxess announced Wednesday it has invested $10 million USD in the U.S.-based BioAmber Inc. It will also be a minority shareholder and have a seat on BioAmber’s board of directors.
The companies already have a longstanding partnership.
BioAmber will build its $80-million biosuccinic acid plant on part of the existing Lanxess site by 2013. The companies have also developed plasticizers that are sustainable alternatives to phthalate-containing formulations.
“Lanxess is actively engaged in leveraging its Sarnia site to establish the largest bio-industrial park in Canada, offering land, energy and infrastructure for the development of new bio-industrial chemicals,” said Sandy Marshall, president of Lanxess Canada in a news release.
BioAmber’s Sarnia plant is expected to create 40 full-time jobs, along with 150 construction jobs. Its initial capacity will be 17,000 tonnes per year, with plans to double by 2014.
Sarnia beat out more than 100 North American sites for the plant, said Mike Hartmann, BioAmber’s corporate affairs vice-president last August.
It was chosen for its abundance of corn, nearby facilities that make glucose, nearby colleges and universities, skilled work force and existing infrastructure.
Observer Article ID# 3480975
LANXESS invests in BioAmber2012-02-22
From www.4-traders.com
Press Releases, Financial & Business, Trade & Technical Press, Performance Chemicals, Functional Chemicals
LANXESS strengthens commitment to renewable raw materials with investment in BioAmber
•USD 10 million investment in U.S.-based BioAmber
•Companies have developed phthalate-free plasticizers from bio-based succinic acid
Leverkusen - LANXESS is strengthening its commitment to renewable raw materials by investing USD 10 million in U.S. company BioAmber, Inc., based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., as part of a private placement.
BioAmber is a global leader in succinic acid produced from renewable resources such as corn. Together, the two companies have developed plasticizers, whose cost-effectiveness and safety profile make them sustainable alternatives to phthalate-containing formulations. Market entry is expected later this year. In addition, both companies are in talks to extend their partnership into further product areas in the future.
As part of the investment, LANXESS has received a minority shareholding in BioAmber and a seat on the Board of Directors, which will be filled by Jorge Nogueira, head of LANXESS' Functional Chemicals business unit that manufactures phthalate-free plasticizers. BioAmber was founded in October 2008 and has 40 full-time employees.
BioAmber produces succinic acid through the fermentation of renewable raw materials. The process developed by BioAmber consumes considerably less energy than the production of succinic acid using fossil fuels, is significantly more cost-effective and has a better carbon footprint. In the future, the company plans to use waste from the agriculture industry and sugarcane processing as starting materials.
"Our investment in BioAmber shows our commitment to launching a new generation of plasticizers that meet regulatory requirements and can also score in terms of sustainability," said LANXESS' Nogueira.
"We are pleased to have LANXESS as a strategic investor alongside Naxos, Sofinnova, Mitsui & Co. Ltd. and Cliffton," said Jean-Francois Huc, BioAmber's CEO. "BioAmber is fortunate to have a strong, committed group of investors and we welcome Jorge Nogueira, a dynamic and experienced chemical industry executive, to our board".
Phthalate-free plasticizers gaining importance
As a global leader in the field of phthalate-free plasticizers, LANXESS has large production capacities, expertise in production and a global distribution network. Its key products include Mesamoll, Adimoll, Ultramoll, Unimoll and Uniplex. Through the acquisition of the UNITEX Chemical Corporation based in Greensboro, North Carolina, LANXESS also now has access to an additional capacity of 50,000 metric tons per year, plus an extensive portfolio of phthalate-free plasticizers such as benzoates, citrates and sulfonamides.
BioAmber manufactures bio-based succinic acid in Pomacle, France, at a plant with 3,000 metric tons of capacity per year. BioAmber plans to add a further 17,000 metric tons of capacity from 2013 with a new world-scale manufacturing facility to be built in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, at LANXESS' site there. Both companies are preparing agreements for LANXESS to provide BioAmber with the land as well as the utilities and services needed to operate the facility.
The global market for phthalate-free plasticizers is currently estimated at EUR 1.3 billion - with annual growth rates of around seven percent. As a result of regulatory developments, demand for phthalate-free plasticizers is growing in markets such as North America, Western Europe and Japan. An increase in demand is also being observed in global growth markets such as Latin America. Authorities are increasingly restricting the use of phthalate-containing plasticizers for consumer goods such as toys, food packaging and cables.
Bio-sourcing initiatives
LANXESS is strongly committed to using renewable raw materials to produce premium synthetic rubbers. At the end of 2011, LANXESS produced the world's first bio-based EPDM rubber in Brazil. The Brazilian company Braskem supplies the raw material ethylene derived from sugarcane. The rubber is marketed under the name Keltan Eco.
In addition, LANXESS has invested in U.S. biofuel and biochemical manufacturer Gevo, Inc., which produces isobutanol from renewable resources such as corn. LANXESS plans to convert the isobutanol to isobutene, a key raw material for the manufacture of butyl rubber.
LANXESS is a leading specialty chemicals company with sales of EUR 7.1 billion in 2010 and currently around 16,100 employees in 30 countries. The company is at present represented at 47 production sites worldwide. The core business of LANXESS is the development, manufacturing and marketing of plastics, rubber, intermediates and specialty chemicals. LANXESS is a member of the leading sustainable indices Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) World and FTSE4Good.
BioAmber is a next generation chemicals company. Its proprietary technology platform combines industrial biotechnology, an innovative purification process and chemical catalysis to convert renewable feedstocks into chemicals for use in a wide variety of everyday products including plastics, food additives and personal care products. BioAmber produces bio-succinic acid in what it believes to be one of the world's largest bio-based chemical manufacturing facilities.www.bio-amber.com.
Sarnia building boom2012-02-21
By Barbara Simpson, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Population isn't the only growth being touted for the City of Sarnia.
January was a banner month for building permits issued in, according to the city’s chief building official.
The city issued 16 building permits worth $9.2 million this January. Last year, in the same month, it doled out 13 permits valued at $2.6 million.
It’s in line with a booming trend in construction across Ontario, according to a release from the province. Ontario saw 77,300 units of housing starts last month up from 69,600 units in December.
While the province is seeing growth in housing construction, Sarnia reported more growth in the commercial sector. Only three of the issued permits were for single-family homes in January.
Loblaw Properties Ltd. received a $500,000 permit for storefront renovations at its Murphy Road plaza. BP Canada plans to do a $3 million office renovation and addition.
These high-figure building permits issued in the city are also in line with the trend across the province. Ontario saw the value of permits rise sharply to $2.9 billion in December.
For Alan Shaw, the city’s chief building official, the $7.5-million addition and renovation to the Vision Nursing Home & Vision Rest Home on Wellington Street stands out. The facility currently has 110 long-term care beds with 108 permanent placement beds and two respite beds.
Ray Curran, of the Sarnia Construction Association, said he was pleased about the increased number of building permits. However, he doesn’t expect it’ll have much of an impact with workers in his association.
“We haven’t seen much change in our sector, which is primarily the heavy industrial sector, but it’s good to hear that progress is being made,” he said. “We’re happy to hear that.”
January was also positive for the local real estate market. It was the second highest January in a decade with sales of $24.1 million.
“We had a fantastic January, which is actually carrying through from our fall,” said Donna Mathewson, president of the Sarnia-Lambton Real Estate Board. “We had a record-breaking November, December; January’s the same.”
While Mathewson is predicting a strong year in the local real estate market, Shaw expects more of an “average year.”
“The last five years, with the exception of last year, were record years, but this year we’ll see more of a year from the last 10 years,” he said.
Sarnia Observer Article ID# 3476783
Strong start to construction2012-02-03
From www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Local construction got off to a strong start this year.
Sarnia issued 16 building permits with a construction value of $9.2 million in January, compared to 13 building permits worth $2.6 million last January.
Several major building permits were issued last month. The Vision ‘74 Nursing & Rest Home will undergo a $7.5 million addition and renovation, while BP Canada is planning a $3 million office renovation and addition.
Sarnia Observer Article ID# 3458635
City wins national honour2012-02-02
By Barbara Simpson, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
The City of Sarnia has won a national award for promoting the summer employment of students with disabilities.
Mayor Mike Bradley accepted the corporate social responsibility award on behalf of the city at the 2012 HR Summit Awards in Toronto Tuesday night. The city was nominated for its innovative Mayor’s Challenge that links private and public sector employers with student workers with disabilities for the summer.
Bradley said it was rather emotional to accept the award after all the hard work the city has spent promoting the message.
“For the last number of years, we’ve been trying to communicate to the rest of Ontario that hiring those intellectually challenged is not charity,” he said Wednesday. “It’s good for business and it’s good for the community.”
Bradley hopes the city’s message touched the crowd of about 500 in attendance at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The awards organized by the Human Resources Professionals Association attracted many who are responsible for hiring decisions in the public and private sectors.
Bradley credits Sarnia’s now-retired HR manager Kathy Meade for her work in promoting the hiring of people with disabilities.
Bradley has already received dozens of emails of congratulations, including a special one from Lt.-Gov. David Onley.
“Well done Mike and team!” Onley wrote in an email. “Well done Sarnia! Thank you for your leadership.”
The accomplished former journalist is Ontario’s first lieutenant-governor with a disability. He has spent his life championing accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities.
Bradley said Onley is expected to visit Sarnia again in April. He will meet with the local business community to promote hiring of those with disabilities.
Observer Article ID#3456344
Artwalk kicked up a notch with Trillium grant2012-01-25
By Cathy Dobson from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Artwalk has a reputation as the summer street party with a whole lot of volunteers and goodwill. Now it’s also the street party with a whole lot of money.
Ten years after the two-day festival started in downtown Sarnia, the Ontario Trillium Foundation has approved a grant of $130,000 over two years.
“Everything will be kicked up a notch,” said president Shawn McKnight who helped co-found Artwalk in 2002. “We’ll have more performers, a more professional stage area, more marketing, more of everything.”
Artwalk was founded as a way to lure tourists to the downtown in conjunction with a Tall Ships Festival on the waterfront. That first year was an overwhelming success with about 25 artisans demonstrating and selling their work. “It created a huge buzz in the arts community and has been incredibly well supported by the city,” said McKnight.
Over time, Artwalk grew and Christina Street had to be closed to traffic for safety reasons. A children’s village was added, street performers, musicians and an environmental component took off.
Last year, an estimated 25,000 people attended over two days.
“In the long run, the grassroots have built Artwalk and given the community a time and place to get together and celebrate the arts,” McKnight said. “It’s been working. It’s a true community builder, and now it’s going to be sustainable.”
The $130,000 grant has enabled the festival to hire downtown bookstore owner Billie Jo Gage as co-ordinator and to contract locally-owned Storyboard Solutions to do marketing and project management.
“We now have an opportunity to offer a free concert on Friday and bring in a headline act on Saturday,” said Chris Lewis of Storyboard Solutions. “We can go after more grant opportunities and pay for advertising for the first time.”
Artwalk will continue to depend on thousands of hours of volunteer time but some of the “relationship building” that brings in sponsors and makes the festival a success can be done by a paid person, said Lewis who has a professional background in event organizing.
“It feels great to see someone paid for great community work,” McKnight said. Gage, for instance, has volunteered her time to Artwalk for years and will now earn a paycheque.
“There’s always a danger of volunteer burnout and, over time, I saw that we needed funding. The Trillium grant is exactly what we needed,” McKnight said.
Artwalk 2012 takes place June 2-3. Visit www.sarniaartwalk.com for more information.
Observer Article ID# 3447780
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership appoints Officers and Board of Director2012-01-24
Sarnia-Lambton, Ontario - The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership is pleased to announce its Officers and Board of Directors for 2012.
At today’s Board of Directors meeting, three Officers were re-elected to their 2011 positions. Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley will continue as Chair. Lambton County CAO Ron Van Horne will continue as Treasurer, and Bruce Hein, owner of Express Employment Professionals, will continue as Vice-Chair.
The Officers’ positions are filled yearly.
The Board of Directors welcomed new Lambton College President Judy Morris, who replaces Lambton College’s outgoing President Tony Hanlon. Dr. Hanlon served on the Economic Partnership Board since March 2002.
Recently re-elected President of the Sarnia & District Labour Council, Ray Fillion, was welcomed back to the Economic Partnership Board, replacing outgoing Sarnia & District Labour Council President, June Maruschak. Ms. Maruschak served on the Economic Partnership Board since January 2010.
Directors can serve for successive years, if re-elected.
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership Board of Directors is as follows:
Don Anderson, General Manager, Business Development Corporation
Warden Steve Arnold, County of Lambton
Chair, Mayor Mike Bradley, City of Sarnia
Sue Drellick, Human Resources Manager, Worley Parsons
Mario Fazio, Broker, Royal LePage Key Realty
Lloyd Fennell, City Manager, City of Sarnia
Garry McDonald, President, Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce
Judy Morris, President, Lambton College
Vice Chair, Bruce Hein, Owner, Express Employment Professionals
Jane Keast, Director Refinery Operations, Suncor Energy Inc.
Ron MacDougall, Farmer, Oil Springs
George Mallay, General Manager, Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
Ray Fillion, President, Sarnia & District Labour Council
Ross McEachran, President, Vidal Street Industrial Park Inc.
Alex Palimaka, VP Corporate Services and General Counsel, Bluewater Power
Treasurer, Ron Van Horne, CAO, County of Lambton
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership has received recognition as one of the top Economic Development organizations in the country.
The Economic Partnership will soon be releasing its Strategic Plan, based on community input, to lead Sarnia-Lambton’s economic growth in the years ahead.
- ## -
For further information:
George Mallay, General Manager
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
Telephone 519-332-1820
Email mallay@sarnialambton.on.ca
Getting shipshape in Sarnia2012-01-21
By Tyler Kula, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
When repairing and replacing steel on a bulk cargo ship, the colder the better, says a field superintendent overseeing some of the ship repairs in Sarnia this winter.
“The mild temperatures are actually harder doing the work because the air is heavier,” said Jeff Gibson with Fraser Marine and Industrial.
So a subzero climate is a welcome change from a mostly mild winter, he said.
The cold keeps workers from shedding protective gear while welding, he said. “The colder it is, to a point, the better.”
The Algoma Central Corporation company is taking on $5 million in repair work for four of the five ships berthed at docks in Sarnia-Lambton.
Eleven ships are expected in the area this winter, officials said, providing a boost to the local economy.
Fraser will have 70 workers on the Algolake alone within two weeks, Gibson said. All are local hires from Sarnia and Lambton County, but many stay in Sarnia hotels and apartments.
“All our safety gear, harnesses, glasses, hard hats, all come from local suppliers as well,” he said.
Ballast tank and bulk head steel work on the Algolake will require about 250,000 pounds (113,398 kilograms) of steel, he said.
Sarnia’s a desired port for ships needing repair, said Garry McDonald, president of the Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce. “We’ve got a very good reputation in our community for machining and outfitting and refitting marine vessels,” he said. “It helps our port and our harbour get through the winter season quite nicely.”
The St. Lawrence Seaway closed on Dec. 30, ending a record 284-day shipping season. The previous record was 283 days in 2006.
Some 227,000 jobs and $34 billion in economic activity are supported by moving goods along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway, according to a recently published Marine Delivers economic impact study.
Environment Canada predicts temperatures will climb above freezing on Sunday and Monday, before settling back to the 0 C mark on Tuesday.
Observer Article ID# 3444021
Fiddick's expansion on schedule2012-01-18
By David Pattenaude, from www.petroliatopic.com The Petrolia Topic
A $12-million expansion at Fiddick's Nursing Home in Petrolia is "on schedule" for an opening by December of this year.
Administrator Mike Fiddick said "We've been blessed with a mild winter. The weather gods have been good to us."
Bad winter weather could have put the project behind schedule but basement walls are going up and once plumbing work is completed, carpenters can start putting up exterior walls and the roof and the project can continue through the winter, said Fiddick.
Up to 50 new workers will be required for the nursing home expansion and the addition of 36 beds — together with 36 new beds at Vision Nursing Home in Sarnia — will likely eliminate a shortage of long-term care beds in Lambton County, said Fiddick.
This will greatly ease the "clogging" of acute care beds at Lambton County's two hospitals, he said.
Meanwhile, renovations at Fiddick's existing nursing home will be done and completed by March of 2013.
The Fiddick's expansion was finally approved by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in September of 2011. The project was announced in March of 2010 by the Local Health Integration Network, which announced $3 million in new annual funding for the 36 new long-term care beds at both Fiddick's and Vision.
Petrolia Topic Article ID#3440339
Sarnia vying for Keystone oil sands2012-01-17
By Tyler Kula, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley speaks to the Golden K Kiwanis club at the Lochiel Kiwanis Community Centre Tuesday about the state of the city. Topics ranged from economics and commercial development to the upcoming city centennial in 2014.
Sarnia is in position to be the site for an oil sands upgrader if a proposed international pipeline deal from Canada's oil sands to the United States falls through, says the city's mayor.
Mike Bradley was speaking at a state of the city address to Golden K Kiwanis club members at the Lochiel Kiwanis Community Centre Tuesday.
"One of the alternatives if that project doesn't go ahead is to look at keeping our resources in Canada, getting the extra value of the jobs here," he said.
Talks have been ongoing for the past 18 months and have included Conservative MP Pat Davidson, he said.
The Keystone Pipeline Project, to move oil and bitumen from the Athabasca Oil Sands in Alberta the United States, is stalled, pending approval from U.S. President Barack Obama.
Meanwhile Canadian Primer Minister Stephen Harper has said China is an alternative destination if the deal fails.
But an in-Canada solution should be given consideration, Bradley said, noting recent talks about a Canadian national energy policy are encouraging.
"One of the big issues in the States is putting in a new pipeline," he said. "We have the pipeline."
An upgrading facility, similar to what could have materialized from the failed Shell refinery project for St. Clair Township in 2008, would create jobs and stabilize industry, he said.
Mike Ireland, senior development consultant with the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership, said officials have recently been promoting Sarnia at oil sands events in Alberta.
"There have been some preliminary discussions involving the Alberta government and Alberta's Industrial Heartland (near Edmonton)," he said. "At this point in time it's still something that we need to get developed and we are working on it."
Any project will need industry support, he said; there are also proposals for Sarnia engineers to manufacture equipment for oil sands use.
Eventually talks will involve the federal government, he said.
When asked about her involvement, Pat Davidson said the talks are nothing new.
"This is something that this community has worked on for a long time and something the community continues to work on," she said.
Keystone however provides Sarnia with a good opportunity to showcase the community's strengths and resources, she said.
Bradley, at his address Tuesday, said he's cautiously optimistic about the city's future.
He highlighted a number of initiatives and challenges, including 12 pilot projects at the Bioindustrial Innovation Centre and the recently announced closure of the NCO call centre.
Decisions are expected this year about commercial expansion; a transportation study is planned and the city is preparing for Sarnia's centennial in 2014.
Observer Article ID# 3439083
Future looks brighter for local pork producers2012-01-11
By Paul Morden, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Just three years ago, hog farmers in Lambton County were mulling over a federal program aimed at helping them leave their troubled industry.
Some did, but others stayed and today times are much better.
Statistics Canada recently reported Ontario hog prices were up more than 45% from the year before.
"It's a heck of a lot better than what it was," said Chad Stanton, a Forest-area farmer and president of the Lambton Pork Producers.
"There's a lot more hog producers with smiles on their faces going into 2012 than there was for the past three years."
Stanton added, "There is room for profit margin," on local hog farms today, "but it's still not out of the woods yet."
Back in 2009, Ontario's pork industry was hard-hit by overproduction, a high Canadian dollar and the impact of an outbreak of the unfortunately named swine flu.
That incorrectly suggested that hogs carried the virus, and while authorities moved quickly to change the name to the H1N1 flu, the damage was done.
When a promised federal package for the industry arrived in the summer of 2009, it was less than expected.
But it included money to help struggling pork producers leave the industry.
There were said to be 2,700 pork producers in the province at that time. The Pork Ontario website says there are 2,000 today.
Lambton had about 145 hog farmers back in 2009.
"We did lose producers, which is disappointing," Stanton said, adding he's not certain how many left the industry in Lambton.
Like other livestock producers, pork farmers are dealing these days with higher grain prices that increase their feed costs. But, Stanton said that's not all bad.
"High grain prices mean good meat prices," he said.
If the price of the corn used in hog feed was lower again, hog prices would be lower too, according to Stanton.
Federally, the Canadian government continues to challenge the U.S. move to require mandatory country of origin labelling on pork and some other commodities imported and sold there.
Ottawa is also working to open up markets for Canadian pork in South Korea.
"There are a lot of different things I know the government is working on," Stanton said.
But, he added, "it takes time."
Observer Article ID# 3431442
Sun ready to rise on delayed St. Clair solar farms2012-01-11
By Barbara Simpson, From www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Two solar energy projects in St. Clair Township are almost ready to switch on the juice.
Construction of the two, 20-megawatt solar farms is complete, confirmed Peter Carrie, vice-president of First Solar Development Canada. Now safety equipment is being tested, ensuring that the relays and controls to remotely access the sites are in working order.
"We are very close to completion," said Peter Carrie, vice-president of First Solar Development Canada. "All the solar panels have been installed and we're just in the final stages of testing and commissioning."
Both the Moore Solar Farm, north of Rokeby Line and west of Highway 40, and the Sombra Solar Farm, south of Bentpath Line and east of Baseline Road, will each produce enough power for about 2,800 homes.
Work has been delayed at the sites for a variety of reasons over the last months. In October, the Ministry of Labour issued a stop work order after a worker received an electric shock at the Moore Solar Farm. "We worked with the Ministry of Labour and contractors to investigate the cause because it is very rare for our workers to get a shock," Carrie said. "We took it very seriously and made sure we understand how it occurred and what measures to ensure it wouldn't happen again."
The stop work order only delayed electrical work for about four days.
"Most of the delays we encountered on both of these projects were a result of just weather this year," Carrie said. "We had a lot of damp, a lot of rain, and when you're doing the work outside, it has an affect on the schedule of course."
The St. Clair Township projects were the first large solar farms approved through Ontario's new Renewable Energy Approval process under the Green Energy Act.
Carrie said he wasn't unaware of any future First Solar projects set for the Sarnia area. However, construction of the company's 10-kilowatt Amherstburg solar farm will begin this year.
Observer Article ID# 3431417
Lowe's officially opens, brings 135 jobs2012-01-11
By Paul Morden, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Sarnia-Lambton politicians were at Lowe's Tuesday to welcome the new home improvement store, and its 135 new jobs, to the city.
Manager Mark Mollard said the 95,000-square-foot store quietly opened its doors on Boxing Day.
"The community has been fantastic," Mollard said. "From the day we opened the doors, we've had an amazing amount of foot traffic."
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley said talks about the Lowe's development began three years ago.
"It was a big coup that they decided to come into this marketplace," he said. "They're very respected for their treatment of their employees and their customer service."
The store opening comes as several hundred jobs are being lost with the closing of the local NCO call centre.
"There are a significant number of new jobs here," Bradley said about Lowe's. "They're a very strong corporation, so I expect those jobs to last."
The impact will "spill out into the whole economy," Bradley added.
He called on Sarnia-Lambton MP Patricia Davidson to help him finish sawing through a board Tuesday to officially open the store.
"We don't focus on the competition," Mollard said about the new store's neighbour, Home Depot. "We focus on our four walls and what we need to do."
Opening a new Lowe's store generally costs $20 million, he said.
While the initial round of hiring is all but complete, the store may add another 15 to 20 workers for the spring and summer, he said.
"Most of those will be seasonal jobs."
Lowe's district manager Matt Basso said the Sarnia staff were chosen from "several thousand folks" who applied.
"We're very pleased with the over 130 individuals who were selected . . . many of whom are full-time."
Sarnia's Lowe's is one of the smaller locations among the 30 stores the company has opened in Canada so far, Mollard said.
"But it has, generally, the same item mix, just in a little smaller footprint," he said.
Store number 31 in Niagara Falls was set to have its official opening Wednesday, he said.
"We're continuing to grow quite rapidly in Canada."
The North Carolina-based retailer's first Canadian stored opened in December 2007 after it announced plans to develop as many as 100 locations in Canada.
The Sarnia store also includes a Subway sandwich shop that employs about 10 people.
Mollard grew up in nearby Forest and began working for Lowe's in Michigan after he married an American girl.
He returned to Ontario initially as an assistant manager of a Lowe's store in London and then was appointed manager of the new Sarnia site.
Grand opening activities are planned for this weekend.
At Tuesday's event, Lowe's donated $2,500 to the Sarnia-Lambton YMCA's Strengthening the Community campaign.
Bradley said city hall is current studying where commercial growth should go in the next five to 10 years.
"There's going to be a big debate coming at council this year about should we expand the commercial area, or are we simply allowing it to shift around."
Observer Article ID# 3431473
Industrial Relocation2012-01-11
From CHOK Radio www.chok.com
The former Fibrex building on Scott Road is no longer vacant. Waste handling company NewAlta is leasing a small portion of the facility. The firm processes used oils and solvents at chemical valley sites and then ships them to market. Manager Tim Bechard says their new location focuses on waste hauling and customer service… replacing a Corunna operation.
Mr Bechard says plans are in the works for construction of an expanded Sarnia facility which would allow them to process materials on site and the Scott road site is an option. The Fibrex building became vacant early last year, when the insulation manufacturer ceased production, costing 160 jobs.
Petrolia Farmers' Market continues strong sales, crowds2012-01-11
By David Pattenaude, from www.petroliatopic.com The Petrolia Topic
A report on The Petrolia Farmers' Market, which operated for a second full season in its new permanent location next to the Petrolia Library, shows the market is a valuable contributor to the local economy and social fabric.
In her 2011 annual report, market co-ordinator Sandy Mason said the market has "...quickly become a viable asset that touches on all aspects of life in the community. With about 32,500 visitors over a 22-week period in 2011, we can estimate a $1 million dollar boost to the local economy."
Some 22 per cent of 2011 market visitors were from outside Petrolia. That was two per cent more from 2010. Overall weekly attendance declined a bit from 2010, when the market averaged 1,550 customers per week; compared with 1,475 per week in 2011.
Estimates from weekly sales place the total vendor revenue for the market at just over $150,000 for the 2011 season. Four vendors were new to the market in 2011 and the 29 vendors (19 full-time and 10 part-time) contributed an estimated $55,000 to economic growth in the community with the purchase of supplies, materials and seasonal labour. Ten new seasonal jobs were created as a direct result of the 2011 market.
Mason's report said the market continues to be an asset to the town and is playing an important role in the town's goal to increase tourism and encourage community involvement.
The market — held Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 12 noon — held a number of special events last year, including a Charlotte Eleanor Englehart Hospital 100th anniversary celebration, community barbecues, scrapbooking, meetings, chainsaw carving exhibition, reptile shows, a Canada Day ball hockey event, and a barn dance.
For 20 of the market's 22 weeks, there was a variety of entertainment — which is a valuable part of the market's overall success, said Mason.
Overall, the third year of the market was a success, she said, with sales and attendance maintaining a strong average throughout the season. The market's first season, in 2009, was held inside the Greenwood Recreation Centre.
"Feedback from shoppers continued to be positive," said Mason. "Regulars who shopped weekly not only enjoyed fresh produce and meat, crafts, and baked goods, they also enjoyed the social aspect, talking and relaxing with fellow residents either in the Kerr Cafe building or outside on picnic tables."
Local public service groups and service clubs fundraised and built community awareness at the market and a weekly lottery draw contributed about $4,000 to local charities.
At council's Jan. 3 meeting, Petrolia community services director Dave Menzies said the market has driven more people to the Petrolia library, which now opens an hour earlier on Saturdays because of market visitors, he said.
Petrolia librarian Kim Frijia told The Petrolia Topic the library used to be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. but because of the market opening earlier, people were around at the library doors — and she added "...it made perfect sense to open an hour earlier and accommodate these people. It's wonderful and a good mix of people and programs."
The library is now open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
IF YOU GO:
The Petrolia Farmers' Market will tentatively open for a 22-week, 2012 season on May 26 and close on Oct. 20. The market will be held Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 12 noon.
Petrolia Article ID #3432625
Solutions4C02 demo facility planned for Bluewater Energy Park2012-01-10
From www.techfinance.ca
Solutions4CO2 Files for IPO on TSX Venture Exchange
Solutions4CO2 Inc. (S4CO2) has filed a preliminary prospectus for a proposed initial public offering (IPO). The offering will be in the form of trance 3 special warrants of a special warrant financing that S4CO2 closed in November 2011.
The prospectus also qualifies 10,952,550 common shares issuable upon the exercise or automatic exercise of 10,952,550 special warrants issued on a private placement basis, of which 1) 7,580,000 were issued on November 1, 2011, 2) 3,075,000 were issued January 6, 2012, and 3) 280,800 and 16,750 were issued to the agent, Macquarie Private Wealth Inc., on November 1, 2011 and January 6, 2012, respectively.
Pursuant to the terms of a definitive agreement dated January 6, 2012 between S$CO2 and Carrus Capital Corporation (YSX-V: CHQ), Carrus who has acquired 3 million tranche 2 special warrants, will acquire 3,000,000 Tranche 3 special warrants as part of the IPO. The prospectus also qualifies the distribution of 2,000,000 common shares issuable upon the exercise of 2,000,000 warrants issued to Carrus Capital on January 6, 2012 pursuant to the Carrus agreement.
Solutions4CO2 has applied to list its common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange
Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP and Davis LLP act as legal counsel to Solutions4CO2 and the agent respectively.
Toronto based Solutions4CO2 designs, builds, operates and maintains industrial solutions to capture waste gas/water streams and process these streams into value added co-products. S4CO2 is developing a 50,000 sq ft demonstration facility at the Bluewater Energy Park in Sarnia, Ontario.
Surprising year for real estate2012-01-06
By Cathy Dobson, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
The local real estate market was surprisingly strong in 2011 with near-record sales totals and an exceptional December that was the best in 10 years.
"December was possibly an all-time high in terms of dollar volume," Donna Mathewson, president of the Sarnia-Lambton Real Estate Board said Thursday.
Last month easily topped December 2010 when the infamous Snowmaggedon storm hit and local residents stopped thinking about housing sales.
"We surpassed December last year by $8 million in sales," Mathewson said. "You do need to keep it in perspective, though.
"There were 102 sales in December, which is 57% better than the 65 in December 2010. But, to be honest, weather played a part in December's numbers," she said.
"We had horrific snowstorms in December 2010 and virtually no snow in December 2011."
That meant house hunters stayed on the trail last month and weren't thinking as much about Christmas shopping as house shopping.
Year-end data released Thursday also show the dollar value of sales in 2011 was the second highest in a decade.
Total sales totaled $328,575,000, a figure surpassed only in 2007 when housing sales topped $349 million.
"2007 was a banner year. It was the peak of the bubble," Mathewson said. "It's going to be really hard to beat."
While 2011 stacked up well, the high dollar value was also skewed by the sale of eight houses each worth $900,000 or more.
"We sold two houses over $1 million in 2010 and six over $1 million in 2011," said Mathewson.
Last year saw 1,683 properties sold, a 3% increase over 2010. There was also a 5% increase in listings and a 9% increase in total sales volume.
"A 3% increase in sales is slight but it shows we've got good strength in our local economy," said Mathewson.
She said low interest rates and government rebate programs continued to attract buyers in 2011, despite an expectation early in the year that interest rates would rise.
"There was a lot of rumbling about interest rates and what was happening in the States. I think people wanted to take advantage of the situation before it changed, but it never did," she said.
It's likely interest rates will remain low throughout 2012 and continue to bolster real estate sales, Mathewson added.
"I think we'll see steady growth this year, nothing dramatic, but a healthy incline," she said.
Observer Article ID# 3426680
Hydro transmission upgrade inches ahead2012-01-06
By Cathy Dobson, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
A major upgrade to a 70-kilometre transmission line slicing through Lambton County bodes well for the local economy, community leaders say.
Hydro One plans to hold public consultations this month about adding capacity to the existing double-circuit 230-kilovolt transmission line stretching from the Lambton transformer station in St. Clair Township to the Longwood transformer station in Strathroy-Caradoc.
"This is very positive news," said Steve Arnold, Lambton's warden and mayor of St. Clair Township.
The more electricity local transmission lines can carry beyond Lambton County, the more energy projects can develop here, he said.
"We've been trying to get it on the forefront of government initiatives for a number of years."
Local officials have been pushing the province to significantly upgrade regional transmission lines so they can handle new power projects and accommodate the future of the Lambton Generating Station.
In 2010, Energy Minister Brad Duguid ordered Hydro One to make the transmission system west of London a priority. It's to be part of a $2-billion investment in the system across Ontario. But the project hasn't exactly moved ahead at an electrifying pace.
On Thursday Jan. 19, Hydro One will finally hold a public consultation at the Brigden Community Hall to outline its upgrade plan.
While capacity will improve, it's not clear how much more electricity the line will handle or what the cost of the upgrade will be, a Hydro One spokesman said.
Officials at the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) weren't any more forthcoming.
"These projects are intended to upgrade the province's transmission system to accommodate renewable projects, serve new load and support reliability," OPA spokesman Tim Butters wrote in an email.
"Planning studies are continuing so the number of additional (megawatts) is not yet known," he said.
While there are still many questions about the project, the president of the Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce is optimistic.
Garry McDonald spoke to ministry staff just before Christmas about it.
"We feel (additional transmission capacity) is a big factor in extending the life of Lambton Generating Station," said McDonald.
Duguid requested an upgrade to the Lambton line as well as a completely new line, he said.
"The upgrade is to be finished by 2014, which coincides with the time when coal is supposed to be offline.
"That, as well as the gas line going to LGS, means the ministry is preparing for an opportunity that could exist," said McDonald.
Local officials are urging the Liberal government to convert the coal-powered station to natural gas, saving hundreds of local jobs and increasing Ontario's power supply.
"This upgrade to the transmission line is important to the existing LGS operation, all the green energy proposals for our area, and it's important to future generation that could help the province," McDonald said.
"I'm hoping this will mean more reason to keep LGS open and attract other power generating projects," said Arnold. "If we end up with more energy creation locally, jobs will be created and that's positive for all of us."
Hydro One's public consultation is scheduled for Jan. 19 from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. in the community hall at 3016 Brigden Road.
Observer Article ID# 3426695
Purdy Fishery nets national TV spot2012-01-03
By Barbara Simpson www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Purdy Fisheries have made the catch of the day.
The Point Edward-based business and its Lake Huron pickerel will be featured on an upcoming episode of the Food Network's Pitchin' In.
On the show, celebrity chef Lynn Crawford visits food producers across the country, learning the ropes of their operations and eventually preparing gourmet meals based on a single local ingredient.
Crawford spent four days at Purdy's in May. The former chef at the Four Seasons' New York City hotel wasn't given a free pass at the family-run operation. She shovelled ice, wrangled sturgeon and even worked in the processing plant.
Don't worry, there was some fun allowed.
"She ended up having a gut fight with one of our employees," recalled Stephanie Purdy, vice-president of Purdy Fisheries.
Crawford also tried to "wrangle our coleslaw recipe out of our chef," noted Purdy, who described the celebrity chef as a genuine and hard-working woman.
"So many people have asked me since the shoot, 'Well, what's she like?' because a lot of times their persona on TV isn't who they really are," she said. "She is 100% who she is on TV."
Crawford wrapped up her visit by preparing a meal around pickerel. She crafted a fiddlehead soup with a pickerel quenelle and asparagus slaw, a mushroom-crested pickerel with a sweet pea risotto, and a lemon tart with gingered rhubarb and white chocolate shavings.
"It was spectacular," Purdy said. "Absolutely spectacular."
Crawford also attended a family barbecue during her visit, Purdy noted.
"To look out my parents' front door and to see her standing on the boulevard — that was the house I grew up in — it was kind of bizarre," she said. "It was like there's Lynn Crawford standing on my parents' boulevard in Point Edward."
Purdy's grandfather W.J. Purdy founded the business in 1900, and the operation now includes several retail locations.
Purdy's Pitchin' In episode airs Jan. 16 at 11:30 p.m. Repeats of the episode will air throughout the week and the rest of the season. The show can also be viewed on the Food Network website.
"Yes, it's great for Purdy's, but I hope it's great for Sarnia-Lambton as well," Purdy said.
"I moved back to Sarnia nine years and one of my goals was to get Purdy's fish on the Food Network," she added.
"I didn't expect our whole business — us as a group — to get on there."
Observer Article ID# 3422329
Great year for Lambton College2012-01-02
Capped by record enrolment
By Tara Jeffrey www.theobserver.ca The Observer
The year 2011 was a booming year for Lambton College.
The Sarnia facility boasted record enrolment numbers, launched a hugely successful capital campaign, and added to its illustrious reputation as a top competitor for firefighting across Canada.
"We have a tremendous number of students coming from outside this area," spokesperson Cindy Buchanan told The Observer. "Lambton is offering programs that folks are looking for."
Buchanan said enrolment numbers jumped from 3,079 in 2010 to 3,225 this fall, pointing to popular programs like Preservice Firefighter, Chemical Production and Power Engineering Technology, Bachelor of Science and Nursing, Child and Youth Worker, Paramedic, Practical Nursing and Personal Support Worker.
New this year are the Law Clerk and Esthetician programs, along with Retail Pharmacy Assistant, Enterprise Database and Programming Management, and planned for 2012 are the Perioperative Nursing and Therapeutic Recreation Ontario Graduate Certificates, as well as diplomas for Hairstylist and Digital Photography.
Throughout the year, industry donations were piling in for the college's $5 million "Inspiring the Future Campaign," most notably, gifts from CF Industries ($100,000), Suncor Energy ($500,000), Cabot Canada Ltd. ($100,000)and RBC ($100,000).
Lambton also unveiled a new sate-of-the-art Sustainable Smart Home — a $1.2 million facility designed for academic and research opportunities, as well as expanding student and community education on green, sustainable energy options.
Students from the college's Firefighter Combat Team continued to thrive in competition, including a bronze medal at the FireFit National Championships in Alberta.
A sixth consecutive fire school championship win was nixed, however, after no other college teams showed up to compete in the division.
In August, Derek Buchanan and Ryan Kennedy took gold in the school's first entry into tandem relay competition at the Quebec Regional Scott Firefit competition in Ottawa.
The team had an "incredible" year, team coach Ron Sparling said, noting Lambton took on only two competitions in Ontario before going to nationals. Normally teams compete in four.
The Lambton program offers a one-year pre-service study, followed by a two-year, hands-on fire science and technology program, the only one of its kind in Canada
Meanwhile, college officials reported only minor disruptions after some 8,000 support staff across Ontario — including registrars, counsellors, librarians, administrators, IT staff and cleaners —walked off the job Sept. 1.
Two weeks later, a tentative agreement was reached between the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and the College Employer Council — representing Ontario's 24 colleges.
Finally, after 10 years on the job, college President and CEO Tony Hanlon announced this summer he will retire at the end of 2011.
Judith Morris will be the new president and CEO. 1.A nine-year veteran of Lambton College, Morris was vice-president of academic and student services at the college.
When Hanlon arrived a decade ago, the college had a full-time enrolment of 2,100 and a deficit of $2.5 million.
Hanlon pledged to "grow" the college and improve its financial position.
Today, The deficit has been eliminated and Lambton College has a $4.5 million surplus this year. Part of that can be attributed to a change in government policy that has provided an additional $4.2 million to Lambton every year since 2005.
Observer Article ID# 3422159
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