The mayor of Chatham-Kent is applauding Thursday's provincial funding and says more announcements like that are coming shortly.
Randy Hope says the announcement of $2.6 million for five local firms demonstrates that manufacturing in Chatham-Kent is alive and well and that different levels of government can play different roles in supporting business.
Steven Del Duca, Minister of Economic Development and Growth, announced funding through the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund for Dana Canada and The Barry Callebaut Group in Chatham, Aarkel Tool and Die and Rulmeca Canada in Wallaceburg, and Waltron Trailers in Ridgetown.
Hope says manufacturing is making a comeback because the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund is working.
"I remember persons making a comment about the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund and how it was nothing but a corporate welfare scheme to support companies. That was [made] by our Conservatives who kept beating us up because I was a strong advocate supporting the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund," says Hope.
The grants help fund projects worth $25-million and are expected to create 70 new jobs and retain more than 330 others in Chatham-Kent.
Hope says the municipality does a good job matching workforces to needs.
"It shows that what we have put in place is working for companies. Companies are making applications, putting new technology into place and putting people to work in this community and that's why you see the unemployment rate at 5.1%," Hope says.
