The mayors of St. Thomas, Central Elgin and Southwold are optimistic that their communities can handle the demands of fast economic growth in Elgin County.
Mayors Joe Preston, Andrew Sloan and Grant Jones shared with about 220 attendees at the St. Thomas and District Chamber of Commerce’s annual Lunch With The Mayors on Feb. 11 that their plans for housing and infrastructure are moving forward and remain on schedule.
“We want to make sure that our communities are safe and inviting for people,” said Mayor Jones.
“That’s what we’re trying to do.
“We have a chance of a lifetime here – where the growth (in Southwold) is going to be about 1,400 homes – to do it right the first time,” added Mayor Jones, “because what we need today and in the next couple years is what’s going to be seen for the next 58 years.
“This is significant and you only get one shot at it,” he explained.
The mayors’ updates at the luncheon focused heavily on economic growth highlighted by at least four recent commercial-industrial expansions in the area.
Amazon’s $500 million investment in Southwold, which will see a 186,000-square-metre (two million square feet) robotic fulfillment centre open in 2023 on the former Ford Canada Assembly Plant site, is set to employ over 1,000 people and has the capacity to process up to 750,000 items daily.
Volkswagen subsidiary Power Co’s $7 billion electric vehicle battery plant in St. Thomas not only promises to create 3,000 direct jobs but also more than 30,000 indirect jobs across nearby regions while aiming for a production volume of up to one million electric vehicles each year.
Vianode is investing $2 billion to establish a plant in St. Thomas by 2028, generating around 300 “highly skilled jobs” during its initial phase and potentially reaching up to 1,000 positions at full capacity.
Element5 significantly expanded its St. Thomas facility last year from just over 150,000 square feet to more than 350,000 square feet while increasing its workforce to approximately 325 employees.
Mayor Jones mentioned that $28 million from the Government of Ontario received about two years ago along with nearly $25 million just last month for wastewater projects around Fingal, Shedden, and Talbotville has really set them up well for a bright future ahead.
The municipality’s residential and commercial-industrial initiatives have also been boosted by a $3.6 million grant awarded to Elgin County aimed at redeveloping and improving signalization at Union Road and Fingal Line intersection. “It’s a transformational project for Talbotville, Fingal and Shedden,” he noted.
The contributes an impressive 73 percent towards a total of $56.1 million earmarked for infrastructure projects “for one little township,” he added. “That really is unheard of.”
MPP Rob Flack was also present at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon but had to leave early due to an emergency Ontario Cabinet meeting.
Central Elgin Mayor Andrew Sloan quoted Nipissing MPP Victor Fedeli during his remarks at lunch; Fedeli stated that since 2019 the Ford government has attracted an impressive $110 billion worth of foreign direct investment into Ontario.
This includes Volkswagen, Element5, and Vianode based in St. Thomas making up about ten percent of this entire foreign direct investment figure as mentioned by MPP Fedeli.
“Our communities are growing; our communities are changing; with that growth comes opportunity but also responsibility,” said Mayor Sloan. “As a council our role is clear: we must plan carefully listen closely while balancing today’s needs with tomorrow’s priorities.”
“This work matters not just for families or individuals but also significantly impacts our local economy,” added Mayor Sloan. “Strong community services attract workers support tourism making our municipality appealing for businesses looking to locate or invest.”
Mayor Sloan highlighted CE council’s focus currently on developing an official plan amendment related specifically towards former St Thomas Psychiatric Hospital lands.”The project aims toward building roughly3 ,500 homes upon166 hectares(410 acres)of hospital property meantto houseapproximately9 ,000 residents.”
“Developmentof this magnitude will shape Central Elginfor generations your voice truly matters,” he emphasized urging public engagement throughout planning processes.”CEis enthusiasticaboutmaximizing investments expectedto transformour region,”he continued. “We possessallnecessaryresources- physical natural financialand human – necessaryforthegrowththatliesahead. Wearepreparedtotackleit!”
The mood shifted as Mayor Preston reminisced likely influencedbyhis announcementon Feb10thathewouldnotbe runninginthe October2026 municipal election afterserving eightyears.” It’sthetimeofdreaminginst Thomas latelyand wow, some dreamsarestartingtocome true!” exclaimed Mayor Preston.”Ourregionisblessedwithotherdreamerswho’ve chosencometo livehere, suchas Power Co, Vianode , Element5, and Magna overtheyears before.”
Praising benefitsfromeconomicexpansionhehighlightedpotentialhousingintensificationfollowingrecentapprovalofthe St Thomas council planningguidelines shaping The Armoury Districtlocatedontheformer railwaylandsatthe northeastcornerof Elmand Wilson streetsadjacenttothe St Thomas-Elgin Memorial Centre.”One thousandpeoplewillresideoverlookingabeautiful ravineand Pinafore Park ,” hesaid.”Whatabrightspottoliveafter100yearsofbeing contaminatedrailwaylands ablemoveforward.”
“It’sthistypeofvisionthisroomdemandsfromits politicians” hesaidpointingouttheir Chamberluncheon’s locationat Memorial Centre.”Demandedofus : makeitwork.”
“Downtown St Thomas standsatpointtodaywithfewer vacancies thananytimethroughoutmy tenurehere” headded.”Collaborationwithpoliceservicessocialservicescommunitygroupshelps us tacklehousingchallenges together enabling dreamsinto reality.”
“Ibelieveweachievedthisbecauseeveryonepresenthereworkedcollectively”explained Mayor Preston.”Everyonecontributedevenjustasmallpartlike Little Engine Couldweactually madeit happen! Havewereached perfection? Notyet. Butit’sexcellenceonhorizon though!”
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