Two companies in Sarnia are set to gain from a federal funding initiative.
One of them, Aluma Power, is a company with 55 employees that began operations in 2017 and specializes in using recycled aluminum for generating clean power.
They are developing a new alternative to diesel generators that operates quietly and produces no smoke.
The aim is to utilize this technology for Canadian military operations as well as for backup power at cellphone towers, explained CEO Rob Alexander.
“Our goals are to increase the size of the company over the next three years by at least three times, maybe four,” he stated, mentioning that the $8-million fuel generator project utilizing aluminum discs plays a key role in those plans.
“For the past four years we’ve been working with the Canadian military toward a very simple, important objective, providing clean, safe, and reliable power to the people who protect and save lives on the front lines,” Alexander shared.
Around $4 million from Fed Dev Ontario’s regional defence investment initiative will help make this possible, announced Sarnia-Lambton-Bkejwanong MP Marilyn Gladu. She made this announcement on behalf of Evan Solomon, the minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, during her visit to Aluma Power’s office on Friday in Aamjiwnaang First Nation territory.
This fund aims to enhance Canadian defense and security while also boosting regional economic development.
“We talk a lot about building a stronger Canada,” Gladu remarked. “Here is what it means in practice.”
Part of the funding will be used for advanced 3D printing techniques to speed up manufacturing processes. Alexander expressed gratitude towards Gladu and the government for their support.
“It really does help,” he said.
Sarnia-Lambton Bkejwanong MP Marilyn Gladu announces $5 million for two Sarnia companies Friday on behalf of Fed Dev Ontario. Pictured with Gladu are Aluma Power’s Adam Roop, left, and Rob Alexander, along with Promart’s Marc Parizeau on the right. (Tyler Kula/ The Observer)
Gladu also announced nearly $900,000 for another local business, Promart, through Fed Dev Ontario’s regional tariff response initiative on Friday.
The structural steel fabricator has been serving Sarnia’s oil and gas sector for over 40 years but has recently begun branching out into nuclear energy as well as data centers and renewable energy projects. Operations vice-president Marc Parizeau noted these changes.
“We’re kind of trying to diversify outside of oil and gas and get into the new wave of energy,” he said. He added that they are currently working on an extensive battery energy storage system project in Ottawa.
With 85 employees onboard, Promart aims to double its workforce while using some of this Fed Dev funding to upgrade their staff’s skills as well as invest in robotic welding technology, advanced laser cutting equipment, and automated material handling solutions “to kind of offset our skilled worker shortage,” according to Parizeau.
The ongoing U. S. tariffs and trade tensions have affected Promart since they import steel from across the border while also shipping products back into the U. S.
“The tariff environment created challenges for Canadian manufacturers but it also forced us to take a look at how we could become stronger more competitive and less dependent on any given market,” he explained. “Our answer was to invest.”
Both businesses have plans for expansion within Sarnia as noted by Gladu.
“Expanding in shifting markets is difficult,” she acknowledged which creates uncertainty for businesses. “Our job is to help those businesses move forward not leave them to face uncertainty alone.”
With Promart’s engagement with data centers Gladu pointed out that she’s “actively pursuing” bringing a data center facility into Sarnia-Lambton where “seven or eight proponents” are considering setting up shop in that area.
“Because we have everything they need,” she added confidently.
Potential locations include business parks or even the former Lambton generating site located within St. Clair Township which would avoid residential areas thereby easing environmental concerns she mentioned further emphasizing there’s ample opportunity available here.
Tyler Kula joined The Observer in 2008 covering Sarnia city hall news among other topics like health care or education issues being reported around southwestern Ontario where he grew up after graduating from Western University.
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