Leamington and Kingsville are enjoying strong economic growth, and the their mayors expect that trend to continue through 2017.
Leamington Mayor John Paterson says his town saw $140-million in new building investments last year. That's up from $70-million in 2015, and just $35-million in 2014.
"From the day that the Heinz plant closure occurred to now, we have certainly well overdone any of our expectations, I think," he states.
Paterson says Leamington's reduction of development charges has lead to massive institutional and agricultural growth, which has then lead to more people moving in for jobs.
He believes the whole Leamington-Kingsville area is actually in a better place now, in terms of attracting investment, than it was before the Heinz plant shut down.
Paterson and Kingsville Mayor Nelson Santos held a breakfast Wednesday morning at Colisanti's, where they talked about the upcoming year.
The two towns along with Pelee Island are also expecting to make a dramatic shift in tourism this year, as each is heavily investing in their waterfronts.
