The Municipality of Port Hope is launching a new initiative aimed at strengthening the ability of local and regional businesses to compete in the energy and advanced manufacturing economy.
The project is being funded through the Ontario Ministry of Rural Affairs’ Rural Ontario Development program and includes a Business Retention and Expansion program focused on the energy and manufacturing supply chain.
The Municipality is also seeking a consultant to complete a complementary Energy and Manufacturing Supply Chain Readiness Analysis.
The work will examine the strengths, gaps and growth potential of manufacturers, industrial service providers and other businesses connected to the supply chain.
It will look at factors including business capabilities, supply chain opportunities, workforce needs and certification requirements.
Port Hope is working on the initiative with several regional partners, including the Northumberland Manufacturers Association, Port Hope & District Chamber of Commerce, Port Hope Heritage Business Improvement Area, Workforce Development Board, Loyalist College’s Applied Research & Innovation Office and Northumberland County.
The Municipality says the initiative comes at an important time for Port Hope and the surrounding region.
Port Hope is home to Cameco’s Port Hope Conversion Facility, which the Municipality identifies as Canada’s only uranium conversion facility. The Municipality is also working with Ontario Power Generation through a signed Memorandum of Understanding to explore potential new nuclear generation at the Wesleyville site.
The Business Retention and Expansion program will engage businesses directly through outreach, networking and training, while gathering information about shared challenges and potential opportunities.
Manufacturers, industrial service providers, supply-chain companies and other sector stakeholders are being encouraged to participate by completing the business survey, attending industry events and information sessions, and taking part in engagement activities.
The Municipality says input from local industry will help produce practical recommendations aimed at strengthening Port Hope and Northumberland’s position within Ontario’s energy and manufacturing corridor.
More information, including the survey, project background and upcoming engagement opportunities, is available at engage.porthope.ca/industry-readiness.
