Turn right at the Milky Way - Every economic development agency has one - a location map. It focuses on the region, often circled by concentric rings denoting the area's position at the centre of global transportion routes. But let's be honest - the maps all look a lot alike, and every community can't be a centre for global transportation!

So what are the facts about transportation to and from Sarnia-Lambton, Ontario, Canada? Located at the United States border in the heart of the Great Lakes manufacturing corridor, Sarnia-Lambton goods can leave a manufacturing plant in Canada and be in the USA in less than an hour; dock-side at the Sarnia Harbour ready to be shipped from the deep water port in the same amount of time; or on their way by rail. The Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport accommodates mid-weight aircraft, and is located just a couple of minutes from Provincial Highway 402.

As well as manufactured goods, agricultural commodities leave Sarnia-Lambton year-round for global markets. Terry Barros, the General Manager of Cargill AgHorizons located at the government docks in Sarnia, noted that over half of the wheat and soybeans in southwest Ontario is grown for export. From this terminal (a link in the Great Lakes Terminals of Sarnia, Hamilton, Goderich, and Owen Sound) product is shipped to domestic and world markets. The world's biggest consumer of soft red winter wheat is Egypt, where it is used to make flat breads; and local soybeans are being shipped to markets such as The Netherlands, France, and China.

"The Great Lakes Terminals give Sarnia-Lambton and the entire region the ability to efficiently ship agricultural products to markets around the world", said Barros. The same holds true for manufactured goods.

Although our take (above) on the traditional location map is just for fun, we are serious about the benefits of locating in Sarnia-Lambton. We have efficient transportation that may make good economic sense for your company. If you are looking for an excellent location from which to export it would be wise to consider Sarnia-Lambton. PS - Our real location maps can be found here. GIS mapping tools can be found at www.lambtongis.ca/siteselector.

Oil Sands industries visiting Sarnia-Lambton  Sarnia-Lambton's metal fabrication companies were the centre of attention this week when representatives from the In Situ Oil Sands Alliance visited Sarnia-Lambton. This group of Alberta development companies met with Sarnia-Lambton metal fabrication firms and took a first-hand look at the area's petrochemical and refining industries.

Sarnia-Lambton's large and highly skilled metal fabrication sector exports its products and services world wide, and are experts in large-scale fabrication and in-situ work. Member companies of the Sarnia-Lambton Industrial Alliance, which include engineering, manufacturing, metal fabrication, and environmental remediation and testing, work together to provide a seamlessly integrated team tailored specifically to the needs of each project.

Learn more about Sarnia-Lambton's metal fabrication, engineering, and environmental service companies and the Sarnia-Lambton Industrial Alliance at www.sarnialambton.on.ca/main/ns/120/doc/54/lang/EN.

BioAmber breaks ground in Sarnia-Lambton  Even before last month's ground breaking ceremony for BioAmber's $80 million biosuccinic acid plant at the Bio-Industrial Park Sarnia, the company had already announced that it is more than doubling the size of the plant.  

Sarnia-Lambton continues to attract interest in the emerging bio sector. The choice of Sarnia for BioAmber's biosuccinc acid manufacturing plant, the company's first in North America, is bringing the Sarnia-Lambton Biohybrid Chemistry Cluster to the attention of bio companies around the world. 

Douge Legge, VP Global Operations, Solutions4C02, discusses the company's plans at recent Economic Partnership meeting. Photo courtesy of Hugh Clouse, Clouse Photo

Solutions4C02 is setting up a 50,000 s.f. research and development facility at the Bluewater Energy Park in Sarnia. The company is working to capture and use waste carbon dioxide from industry to grow microalgae for use in pharmaceutical drugs, biofuels and other products. The company announced recently that they plan to make Sarnia their global headquarters and the location for the company's research and development. 

Woodland Biofuels is locating its cellulosic ethanol demonstration facility at the Western University Research Park, Sarnia-Lambton campus, and Methes Energy reported in December 2011 that it is rapidly progressing on its Sombra biodiesel facility in Sarnia-Lambton.  Methes will produce up to 13 million gallons of biodiesel per year.