News of Honda's historic $15-billion deal to construct its first comprehensive electric vehicle supply chain in Ontario is rousing local residents and officials about the potential boost to business and jobs in the area.
"The opportunities for the local residents are going to be absolutely staggeringly fantastic," said Richard Norcross, mayor of New Tecumseth, which is comprised of the communities of Alliston and nearby Beeton and Tottenham. Lachlan McGurk, who owns a flower and chocolate shop in historic downtown Alliston and chair of Alliston's business improvement association, shares that sentiment.McGurk's optimism is nevertheless guarded by some recent history.In 2011, Ford shut down its plant in St. Thomas, a southwestern Ontario community, with thousands ultimately losing their jobs.
"For comparison, Ford Motor Company did a massive investment in Kentucky and Tennessee two years ago … for $11 billion," said Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association. It follows a series of announcements to build up the electric vehicle industry in Canada, including for a VW battery plant now under construction in St. Thomas, Ont. and a Stellantis battery plant in Windsor, Ont.
"We need to be able to house people as close to where they work as possible because it's a better quality of life all around," said McEachern.McGurk says Simcoe County, which includes New Tecumseth, is one of the fastest-growing in Ontario and the investment works in lock step with the planned growth for the area.