Seven new companies were established in 2012 in Chatham-Kent with the help of staff of the municipality's economic development department.
"The companies represent the creation of approximately 300 new jobs in the community, Michael Burton, director of economic development, told The Daily News Friday.
In addition, Burton said his department facilitated the creation of 143 jobs in the small business sector and is currently working with an additional eight companies.
'"If we are successful, those initiatives will create a further 435 new jobs,'' he said. "We are confident about the prospects for success in 2013.''
Burton said his department relies on a bit of luck to develop meaningful prospects and a great deal of skill and patience to land prospects.
"Overall in 2012 we worked on files that created 843 new jobs in all sectors for Chatham-Kent,'' he said.
Burton said the successful files only represent a fraction of the total files worked on during the year.
"We have a solid pipeline at present for further economic growth prospects and investment,'' he said. "Some of the files will take up to two and three years to come to fruition but we are confident we have a good mix of prospects for the future.''
In terms of both North American and off-shore markets, Burton said Chatham-Kent has made inroads with a number of sectors.
"We have made a number of trips to China and these missions are starting to bear fruit,'' he said. "We recently hosted a delegation from Changchun, China and it's expected a follow-up investor mission will follow this year.''
Burton said Chatham-Kent will host three companies from China starting this month. Each are looking at investments in joint ventures in the community.
He noted a recent trip to Germany with a local company assisted with opening potential new markets in that region.
"Staff also held discussions with a German company on the trip and it is hoped it will soon choose Chatham-Kent for its entry into the North American market,'' he said.
Stuart McFadden, manager of business development for the department of economic development, said his team continues to work on projects to retain, expand and attract new companies to the region and is hopeful of a prosperous and lucrative 2013.
"Staff continues to call on existing companies in the community and work with them to expand their operations,'' he said. "These local companies have generated 400 new positions and represent a key ingredient for new economic development.''
Kim Cooper, agricultural specialist with the department, said there was greater diversification in the crops grown in Chatham-Kent in 2013 and a number of greenhouse operations were expanded.
He said a new rail line to Wallaceburg will be a critical logistical piece to entice new investment in Chatham-Kent.
Joy Sim, tourism manager with economic development, said 2012 saw new investment and new jobs created.
She said three new attractions opened including the Indigenous Enviro-Education Centre in Moraviantown, Early Acres Estate Winery and Bayside Brewing Company/Bayside Brew Pub.
She said Road Scholar is now promoting two of Chatham-Kent's key experiences -- birding and black history -- to a worldwide audience.
The tourism department also hosted and toured an increase number of requests from travel media writers to visit the area.
Freelance writers from the Chicago Tribune, Toronto Star, Vacay.ca, Outdoor Writers of Canada, Kayak magazine, Canadian History magazine and Reader's Digest toured the municipality and published positive articles.
Film crews from the Great Canadian Adventure Tour and a Japanese travel show spent several days filming in Chatham-Kent.
Sim said the "cruise the coast motorcycle'' initiative is a marketing partnership linking Chatham-Kent's chosen route with the Friday the 13th in Port Dover.
"The route along the Thames River through Chatham-Kent was named one of the top 10 best Canadian road trips by Reader's Digest and was highlighted on MSN Canada.
Rosemarie Montgomery, a small business consultant with the Chatham-Kent Small Business Centre, said in 2012 the response from the business community was overwhelming and the small business centre secured several new sponsorships within the community.
She said the centre responded to 2,158 business inquiries and provided guidance to 211 new start-up businesses, creating 143 new jobs in the community.
bob.boughner@sunmedia.ca
Source: http://www.chathamdailynews.ca/2013/01/11/300-new-jobs-were-created-in-2012
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