20
21
CANADIAN INDUSTRY ONLINE - AUG/SEPT 2013
at how we can provide added value
in food products. We are doing a lot of
international promotion and also pro-
moting our products in North Ameri-
ca.
What industries are on the hori-
zon for Chatham-Kent?
We’re focusing on areas that our
community colleges are focused on,
such as energy. There are more require-
ments for transmission programs, a
demand for workers. We are also pro-
moting R&D in agriculture, includ-
ing a project with the University of
Guelph Ridgetown Campus—we want
to bring more students into this sector,
and are promoting it on an internation-
al stage.
Chatham-Kent is bounded by
the Great Lakes, so we also have the
world’s largest freshwater fishing in-
dustry. We’re looking at how we de-
ploy some of our natural proteins to
international markets such as India.
The key for Chatham-Kent is to
take what we have naturally in this
area that can’t be moved and build on
that, and add value. We want to diver-
sify our industry.
How does Chatham-Kent pro-
vide the right infrastructure and sup-
port for small business?
Chatham-Kent has been complet-
ing the revitalization of old industrial
sites, so that we may support business-
es and new construction. We also offer
“
We have an amazing quality of life.
There are lower housing costs here, and
you are just 20 minutes to everything you
need, no matter what part of the region
you’re in.”
