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From the general manager |
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 For the past 150 years oil has shaped the very fabric of Sarnia-Lambton. Our community would be a very different place without the employment, taxes, and products that come from the refining and chemical plants located here. There is some perception that the Economic Partnership's drive to increase our global presence as the location for the production of alternative energies is moving us away from this vital part of our economy. In fact, our refining and chemical plant base is a valuable asset that we strongly believe will continue to be a firm economic pillar for our community. But nothing stays the same - and Sarnia-Lambton can actually take advantage of that.
Companies that make things from oil are evolving into companies that make things from oil and also from biobased materials. Many of our multi-nationals right here in the "Valley" are involved in researching such products. By next year the global renewable and bioproducts industry is expected to exceed $125 billion in revenues, barring any further collapse in the economy (Source BiobasedNews.com, March 05, 2009).
We are proud of our refining and petrochemical companies. The industrial foundation they provide is a great asset, and we continue to market it as we explore every avenue to find business opportunities for Sarnia-Lambton. This area has been looking forward for 150 years - we're not planning on stopping now.
 George Mallay General Manager
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership |
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Companies wanted |
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Free business directory listings for all local companies 
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership produces the popular Sarnia-Lambton Business Directory - listing information on over 3,500 Sarnia-Lambton businesses. The Economic Partnership is currently checking with each of those companies to ensure that their information is up-to-date. Listings in the business directory are totally free of charge. When you receive an email, fax, or phone call from the Economic Partnership, take a moment to check it out. Is your business listing up to date? - or do you have a company that needs to be listed? You can list your contact and product information, and add a colour logo to your on-line listing - all at no cost! If you would like to learn more, call 519.332.1820, or email Edith Wilmot-Quigg at the Economic Partnership. You can check out the free on-line directory on the Economic Partnership's website, under the Business Directory tab. The directory is also sold in hard copy and electronic formats for $25.00. |
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Money for student entrepreneurs |
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Grants available
Students might face a tough time finding summer jobs this year due to the economic slowdown, experts warn. But for students with an entrepreneurial spirit, the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership's Business Enterprise Centre and the Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services are providing an opportunity to create their own summer jobs. Grants of $3,000 are available to qualifying students - providing seed money as well as valuable hands-on business training. Students must be between 15 and 29 years old in order to apply for Summer Company, a program designed to help enterprising young people start up and run their own summer business. Through the Summer Company program students can receive $1,500 to help with business start-up costs and an additional $1,500 in the Fall, after successfully completing the Summer Company program. Each student will receive business training and a mentor to work with them from start to finish. There is no limit on the student's earnings. For more information or to apply for Summer Company email Chantelle Simard, or phone 519.332.1820. Visit www.summercompany.ca.
All applications must be completed and submitted before May 04, 2009. |
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2009 work plan well underway |
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Alternative energy & bio industries pursued
 The Economic Partnership's 2009 work plan focuses heavily on making contact with manufacturing companies in the areas of solar power, wind power, and biobased products. All are part of the growing area of "cleantech", and all have some need for the industrial services, materials, feedstocks, or R&D available to them in Sarnia-Lambton.
Economic Partnership staff member Denis Van Decker (pictured at a recent solar event) is heavily promoting Sarnia-Lambton's strengths as a manufacturing location to alternative energy companies - including the opportunities for R&D at The Research Park and the Bioindustrial Innovation Centre, and our technically skilled workforce.
A summary of the Economic Partnership's strategic plan, Strategic goals and how we'll reach them: a plan to 2010, can be viewed or downloaded (in PDF format) by clicking here.
To view Powering a Sustainable WorldTM, The Economic Partnership's one-minute overview of the community's vision, visit our home page and click PLAY. | |
A newsletter of the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
