Local officials are thrilled NOVA Chemicals has announced plans to build its new $2.2-billion polyethylene plant in St. Clair Township.
The Calgary-based company announced Friday the plant will be built on land next to the company's Corunna facility at Rokeby Line and Hwy. 40.
"It's a great announcement," says St. Clair Township Mayor Steve Arnold. "But, it bodes well for everyone in the community, because it starts out with the people that actually do the work on the site and when a company is looking at a place to locate, they look for a number of different things. Most importantly is the safety aspect of the people that are going to be potential employees, long term and short term on the build, and our community is second to none."
Arnold is most excited about the project from the environmental perspective.
"It will be the most state-of-the-art facility that's ever been built in Ontario when it comes to a chemical facility. You're going to have a lot better emissions control and you're going to have so many things that are going to be so much more positive, both from the airshed, the watershed and those are the things -- I think for us as a community -- that is the most exciting piece."
Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey applauded the provincial government for investing $100-million toward the project, through the Jobs and Prosperity Fund.
"It's a vote of confidence in the trades, the fabrication shops and the people of Sarnia-Lambton that are going to work and maintain these plants and build them as well," says Bailey. "It's going to be great for everybody in this community, whether you're in the restaurant business, whether you're in the housing business, real estate, it's a real game-changer."
Sarnia-Lambton MP Marilyn Gladu says it was a collective effort to land the "big win."
"This is great for our community in terms of job creation, in terms of economic growth for Ontario, but more importantly I think it recognizes NOVA's sustainable operation and how they've been a member of the community and continue to partake with us," says Gladu. "Think about the jobs. We're talking 150 long term, well paying jobs, but also 1400 construction jobs and we know that our construction trades can really use that. This comes at a great time for the holiday season. It's the best present Sarnia-Lambton could get."
No federal funding commitments were announced Friday.
Gladu says a federal contribution, which she believes will be in line with what the province contributed, will be announced at a later date.