Sarnia-Lambton, Ontario, Canada – June 27, 2014 – The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership released its Annual 2013 Economic Development Progress Presentation Report at its Board Meeting and Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, June 26, 2014. The presentation provides an overview of economic development and investment activity for 2013. The Economic Partnership provides economic development services to all of Lambton County.
The Economic Partnership continues to execute its 2012-2015 strategic plan. While southern Ontario continues to face strong economic challenges, Lambton County is continuing to make progress, particularly, in being recognized for hybrid chemistry and energy.
Two key investment announcements resulted from work completed in 2013. Ubiquity Solar announced it has selected the TransAlta site for construction of a new pilot plant for the production of polysilicon; with plans for a full scale 10,000 metric tonnes per annum commercial plant in 2016. The full scale plant is expected to employ several hundred people. This week Sustainable Development Technology Canada announced $3.1 million in funding in support of Ubiquity’s $10.9 million pilot plant.
The other significant announcement was the Atelka call centre, which was announced in January of this year. The centre is now operational, with plans to employ up to 300 people.
The Economic Partnership has played a key role in the formation and ongoing support of the Sarnia-Lambton Industrial Alliance (SLIA). The community is starting to see increased investment activity and job creation from SLIA initiatives.
Supporting entrepreneurship and providing assistance to existing businesses is a key activity for the Economic Partnership. The Business Enterprise Centre, which runs out of the Partnership, worked with 30 firms that opened new businesses in Lambton County in 2013 and also handled 395 consultations with existing businesses. SLEP staff also maintained a strong business and farm visitation program with over 140 visits completed.
A key focus for the Partnership in 2014 is to work with local municipalities to establish more initiatives, projects, and investment across the County.
The 2013 Annual Report Presentation is available on the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership web site at www.slep.wpengine.com/documents/SLEP2013AnnualReportPresentation.pdf
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