Following the release of the Ontario’s Hydrogen Hub in Sarnia-Lambton Strategic Plan earlier this year, the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP) is pursuing an ambitious plan to identify and secure new investment and job creation as part of the developing low-carbon hydrogen economy in Ontario. Over the next couple months, SLEP staff will have a significant presence at national and international tradeshows and conferences to promote and enable development, innovation, and opportunity linked to hydrogen investment and decarbonization.
This week, Senior Economic Development Officer, Matthew Slotwinski, will be presenting as part of an expert panel at the Canadian Hydrogen Convention in Edmonton highlighting the opportunities linked to the Ontario’s Hydrogen Hub. The strategic session is focused on Complementing Hydrogen Hubs with Cross Border Partnership and Corridors, and will include speakers from other national hydrogen hubs and multinational companies.
As part of the event, Slotwinski will meet with companies, start-ups, and innovators investing in all parts of the hydrogen value chain, with a particular focus on those with low-carbon capabilities and ambitions.
“Sarnia-Lambton has been highly visible not just nationally, but internationally, due to the efforts linked to the Ontario’s Hydrogen Hub,” says Partnership CEO Dan Taylor. “Companies with growth potential are recognizing the assets, infrastructure and broader ecosystem of Sarnia-Lambton can be leveraged for new strategic investment. Given that access to investment capital is highly competitive at the moment, now is the time to secure those investments that fit our transitioning local economy.”
Next month, the Economic Partnership will travel to the World Hydrogen Summit in the Netherlands and Hydrogen Technology North America in Texas to further promote Sarnia-Lambton as Ontario’s Hydrogen Hub. These events are both linked to funding secured from Global Affairs Canada via the CanExport Community Investments Program.
Through the funding, SLEP has been approved to receive matching funding from Global Affairs Canada to complete lead generation at targeted international industry events linked to the low-carbon hydrogen industry. As part of the efforts, the SLEP office will work in conjunction with a lead generation consultant to identify and pursue pre-qualified foreign direct investment leads that can lead to capital investment and job creation as part of the Ontario’s Hydrogen Hub. This effort aligns with the Ontario’s Hydrogen Hub Strategic Plan for Sarnia-Lambton that was completed last year and in association with the local Ontario’s Hydrogen Hub Working Group.
“The support of Global Affairs Canada shows that there is value in investing in the promotion of the hydrogen economy in Sarnia-Lambton – especially as the related opportunities are so well linked to the Canadian governments drive to net-zero by 2050,” says Slotwinski. “This funding allows SLEP to be very strategic in our efforts to attract new facilities, innovation, and jobs to the area, so that not only are we getting the message out about the opportunities in Sarnia-Lambton, but we are doing so to the right companies.”
Across all events, SLEP will meet with over a dozen trade commissioners associated with the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, who are focused on priority target markets for the attraction of foreign directed investment to Canada.
Program Contact
Matthew Slotwinski
Senior Economic Development Officer
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
519-332-1820 matthew@sarnialambton.on.ca
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