Feds invest $20 million into Windsor-Essex businesses

The federal government is investing $20 million into Windsor-Essex businesses. CTV Windsor’s Bob Bellacicco has more.

The federal government was in Windsor on Thursday, announcing a $20 million investment into 14 Windsor-Essex companies.

Evan Solomon, the Minister Responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, addressed business leaders and workers at Ennova Facades.

“We rely on this region to build things the world depends on: Auto parts, advanced manufacturing technology, precision tools, industrial products, supply chains, cladding for buildings like we’re doing here with these fine folks at Ennova,” Solomon said.

Ennova Facades is the recipient of $4.5 million, which is the second highest total in the $20 million investment. At the top of the list is Service Mold and Aerospace. They will receive just over $6 million.

A major part of Ennova’s cut will go towards expanding their current facility, adding three product lines, including windows, doors, and louvres.

“Instead of buying from other countries or from the U.S., now we will be able to build this product here in-house in Windsor and use it for our own products like the large format wall systems that we use,” Lepore said.

The second phase of the investment will see the company selling to the Canadian market.

The trade war is impacting many local businesses.

Louis Jahn, president of Jahn Engineering, pivoted his business from 90 per cent automotive and heavy truck supplies to nuclear.

“We’ve been very successful in the nuclear industry,” Jahn said.

The Oldcastle-based company is using $1 million to buy equipment and expand their building to better service the nuclear industry.

“Between aerospace, nuclear, and defence, we think we want to make up at least 50 per cent of our business going forward and of course maintain our heavy truck and automotive presence.”

Minister Solomon also met today with Windsor mayor Drew Dilkens and president of the Chamber of Commerce, Ryan Donally.

“It’s important that we recognize that we can’t just take the pie and cut it different ways and slice that pie, that was typically 85 per cent U.S. based business, and ship pieces of that pie to other countries in the world,” Donally told CTV News.

“The goal has to be take the pie, grow the pie. Maintain a relationship with the U.S., but also diversify to other countries, diversify products, diversify different markets. My message today was: Take the pie, grow the pie.”