Taking care of business  
A newsletter of the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership   May 20, 2010
From the general manager
 
SLEP_LOGO
As many of you know, Sarnia-Lambton has been working hard to establish itself as a global leader in the areas of renewable energy and bioindustries. Let's take a look at how we, as a community, are doing.

 

The Research Park in Sarnia-Lambton was chosen by the federal and provincial governments as the location for Canada's Bioindustrial Innovation Centre. In April of this year Toronto-based Woodland Biofuels Inc. announced that a $10 million cellulosic ethanol facility will be built at the Bioindustrial Innovation Centre. Construction of this pilot plant is slated to begin in Fall 2010. The facility will test the ability to convert wood and agricultural waste into cellulosic ethanol, a renewable resource. Expected to employ up to 35 jobs initially, if the technology proves successful there is potential for over 500 employees over the following five years.

 

A recent study undertaken by Imperial Oil's Sarnia research facility tested 57 different diesel blends. The study is providing insight into the use and storage of fuel containing biodiesel.

 

Bluewater Power announced in December 2009 that they and partner CarbonFree Technology are establishing a photovoltaic (PV) test facility at Bluewater Power's corporate headquarters in Sarnia. The facility will evaluate and compare performances of different types of solar power and mounting systems over different seasons. The power company will initially install five different 10 kW systems. Bluewater Power has also partnered with Waste Management on landfill gas-to-energy projects in Petrolia and Sarnia.

 

The second phase of the Lambton College / Economic Partnership Fuel Cell Demonstration Project is underway, focusing on renewable energy sources of hydrogen.

 

Lambton College is building a "smart house" on its Sarnia campus. This

state-of-the-art home will incorporate the latest energy efficiency technologies, such as geothermal heating, solar panels, a grass or moss roof, and a steel solar thermal wall. The house will serve as a unique working lab for several of the College's programs, including its Alternative Energy Engineering Technology program, and will also be open periodically to the public. Federal funding was provided to assist with the $1.2 million cost; Suncor Energy is donating $150,000; and several industries are donating building materials towards the project. It is anticipated that the house will be completed by the end of 2010.

 

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation is testing an innovative vertical axis wind turbine at its west-bound Highway 402 weigh station in Sarnia-Lambton.

 

Announced renewable energy projects for Sarnia-Lambton will increase the area's already impressive production of over 4,000 MW of power by an additional 580 MW.  When completed by the end of 2010, First Solar's Sarnia power generation facility, with 20 MW on stream and an additional 60 MW capacity currently being installed, will be the world's largest PV solar power generation facility.  

 

Although such new power projects, on their own, do not employ large numbers of people, the manufacturing companies that supply the parts that go into them do. The Economic Partnership is aggressively pursuing these opportunities on a continuous basis.

 

Add in Canada's largest hydrogen plant (Air Products), two hydrogen pipeline networks (Praxair and Air Products), Canada's largest ethanol plant (Suncor Energy), two natural gas power generation facilities (Greenfield Energy and Invenergy), and Canada's largest co-generation power facility (TransAlta), and it is easy to see why Sarnia-Lambton is becoming increasingly known world-wide as a powerhouse location for alternative energy and bioindustries.    

 
GEORGE_MALLAYGeorge Mallay
General Manager
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
Thinking of exporting to the USA?
If  you are considering entering the United States market check out this informative seminar and Blue Water Bridge tour.
 
New Exporter to Border States
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., June 15, 2010
Blue Water Bridge tour - 12:45 p.m. - approximately 2:30 p.m.
Holiday Inn, 1498 Venetian Blvd., Point Edward
 
Learn practical hands-on fundamentals of exporting to the United States through expert briefings on such topics as:
 
  • US banking
  • legal and tax considerations
  • immigration issues
  • US customs clearance procedures
  • logistics and government export programs
  • services to assist your business
 
Following the morning session a bus tour of the Blue Water Bridge will give participants a first-hand look at how imports and exports move through Canadian and US Customs. The tour will include an update on bridge upgrades. Each tour participant must bring his/her ID plus NEXUS card, passport, or enhanced drivers licence.
 
Space is limited! The registration fee is $39.50 / person and includes a hot buffet breakfast. Click here for more information. To register email Jeanny or give her a call at 519-332-1820 / 1-800-972-7642. Registration deadline is June 10, 2010. 
 
This seminar is brought to you by:
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
Canadian Trade Commissioner Service
Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade
Free HST seminars in Alvinston and Sarnia

The harmonized sales tax comes into effect on July 01. Learn how the new HST will affect your business.
 
Transitioning to the HST - presented by Canada Revenue Agency
Two locations and times:
 
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - June 14, 2010, Alvinston
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - June 22, 2010, Sarnia
 
The seminars are free, but advanced registration is required. Email Jeanny or call
519-332-1820 / 1-800-972-7642.
 
To ensure that everyone's questions can be addressed at the sessions, numbers are limited.
 
This seminar is brought to you by the Business Enterprise Centre of Sarnia-Lambton.
Have you met David?
See David's article on government programs, "Do you have any free money?", below.
david_moody_cropped

When David Moody joined the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership in May of last year he got right to work. As Project Leader for the Economic Partnership's Business Growth Services he has been meeting with Sarnia-Lambton business owners and operators - over 200 of them so far.

 

David is on a mission to help local companies improve their operations and their profits. "When we first meet, some people ask me what I'm trying to sell them," David noted with a smile. He assures them that he is not selling anything. In fact, his services are free of charge.

 

David works with business owners to find solutions to problems and challenges. Many local companies are benefiting from his knowledge of government wage subsidy programs, knowledge of financing options and financiers, and the ability to connect companies that have a good business fit. Companies looking for expansion capital can also call on David to help them with their business plans.

 

Another area in which David can help local companies is succession planning. "I'm finding that few companies have a plan in place," he commented.  In addition to retirement scenarios, creating a succession plan has other benefits. Outlining who will own and or operate the company in the future can be especially important if the current owner or manager is suddenly unable to work due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

You can reach David at the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership, telephone 519-332-1820 / 1-800-972-7642, or email david@sarnialambton.on.ca.  He looks forward to working with you to make your company as profitable as it can be. 

 
Do you have any free money?
"Do you have any free money?" When we visit with area business owners we are often asked this question, sometimes jokingly and sometimes not. Usually there is some serious interest in our reply.
 
At any given time, there may be over a hundred programs such as government grants, loans, wage support programs, or tax credit programs available to business. The challenge is to know what programs are available and how they may fit you and your company. And you must to be willing to follow the necessary process to apply and be approved for those programs that will be of benefit to your business. On the other hand, if you are looking for a big cheque with no need to make application, no repayment, no conditions to meet or reporting requirements, then you are likely going to be disappointed.  
 

You can find a searchable list of support programs on the Economic Partnership website by clicking  here. The list is updated periodically, so it is worthwhile reviewing it from time to time.

 

Another useful site, listing Provincial and Federal programs available to businesses, can be found at the Ontario government's Invest in Ontario website. You can go directly to the Goverment Programs link by clicking here.

 

We often find that businesses are looking for "free/cheap" money for a specific purpose and are disappointed that it is not available. At the same time, though, they may be undertaking Research and Development work that qualifies for a significant tax credit, or hiring employees that qualify for wage subsidies or tax credits. If you would like to talk with me to find out if there are programs that may benefit your business, please give me a call or an email. The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership's services are free of charge.

 

David Moody, Project Leader, Business Growth Services

Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership

Telephone 519-332-1820 / 1-800-972-7642

Economic development upcoming events
Southwest Economic Alliance (SWEA) Assembly 2010
June 03-04, 2010, London Convention Centre
Keynote speakers include former Toronto mayor David Crombie, noted pollster and analyst Allan Gregg, and marketing specialist Terry O'Reilly. Breakout session topics include Agriculture, Economic Development, Tourism, Workforce Development, Technology, and Alternative Energy. The Assembly closes with a Policy Bear Pit Session featuring senior cabinet ministers at both levels of government. Click here for more information.
 
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership stakeholders' meeting
7:30 a.m., June 23, 2010
Overviews of the Economic Partnership's Manufacturing, Machine Shop and Engineering Inventory and Capability Study and the Sarnia-Lambton Petrochemcial Industry Study will be presented. Every person in Sarnia-Lambton is a stakeholder in economic development! Email the Economic Partnership or telephone 519-332-1820 / 1-800-972-7642 for further details. 
 
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
Phone: 519-332-1820 / 1-800-972-7642
 
Follow us on Twitter