This past year ushered in a period of solid economic growth for Chatham-Kent, thanks to a business climate that's mostly sunny.
That's according to Stuart McFadden, the municipality's Acting Director of Economic Development Services.
"We continue to see a lot of investment by local companies. Our small business centre saw one of the busiest years in a decade. And at the foreign direct investment side, they continue to create relationships and bring deals closer to home," McFadden says. "We're very hopeful that 2017 is going to see some of those deals realized."
While McFadden expects to bring more foreign companies to the region in 2017, existing manufacturing companies had the greatest impact on the local economy in 2016. It's one of a few key industries and sectors McFadden has high hopes for new investments and partnerships.
"Our focus is on supporting entrepreneurism. It's on advanced manufacturing - what can we do to help those local companies that are here today. And obviously agriculture," says McFadden. "Agriculture is a plus $3-billion business for Chatham-Kent and it plays a huge role in our success."
But he reiterates the most opportunity for economic development lies in foreign direct investment.
"We have to continue to try and find companies to come to Chatham-Kent."
