Business Venture October 2010

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October 2010

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Lifestyle

A unique alternative in pet care page 5

Community Christmas

2010

Renewable Energy boosts employment

Guide to holiday activities and events pages 7-9

Chamber of Commerce News and information pages 10 - 11

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by Heather Grummett

LYON FINANCIAL SERVICES Investments & Insurance Financial Services

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The Guelph job market looks to be taking a positive turn with the recent announcements of four new companies locating to Guelph–resulting in as many as 1000 jobs. The first being the world’s eighth largest solar module company, the Canadian Solar Inc. manufacturing facility is due to bring 300 to 500 jobs to the community. Also in the renewable energy sector, Sustainable Energy Technologies Ltd (Sustainable Energy) will be locating its main North American solar inverter assembly and test facility in Guelph. Beginning production by the end of 2010, the company partnering with Guelph manufacturer Melitron Corporation, will eventually create 60 to 80 jobs directly and up to 300 jobs indirectly Add to this, come 2011, two additional companies, will be the first tenants for the Hanlon Creek Business Park. "We are excited to be able to move forward on building Guelph's employment capacity," said Peter Cartwright, General Manager of Economic Development and Tourism. "The result of these two companies building in the Hanlon Creek Business Park will be the creation of 370 jobs in the city of Guelph," he added. With two of the four companies in the renewable energy sector, this growth is right in line with the city’s economic development and tourism initiative Prosperity 2020. Released earlier this year, Phase 2 of the report highlights establishing new regional economic development partnerships and business cluster initiatives as a high priority. One of the selected business sectors that is recognized to focus on

A crew from Skyline participated at the Habitat for Humanity build site in celebration of World Habitat Day. Pictured from l - r: Roy Jason Ashdown (Co-Founder of Skyline), Wayne Byrd, Tracey Castellan, Marissa Morettin, Jeff Teeter, Jason Castellan (Co-Founder of Skyline), and Martin Castellan (Co-Founder of Skyline). The piece of land donated earlier this year by Skyline provides space for the brand new duplex, allowing two deserving Guelph families the opportunity to buy decent and affordable homes. For more information see page 13. (Supplied photo)

for investment and growth is Environmental/Renewable Technologies. As industrial investors are increasingly looking at energy services as a key part of their decision on where to invest, the city’s Community Energy Initiative is also playing more of a role in bringing business to Guelph. “Guelph graduates half of Canada’s environmental engineers and we have world leading engineering companies here,” says Lloyd Longfield President, Chamber of Commerce “Our 10 year economic development plan has environmental engineering as a major focus. We are already seeing job growth in this sector and the implementation of the Community Energy Initiative is attracting international attention.” The initiative strives to move Guelph to use less energy in 25 years than it does today, while cutting its annual greenhouse emissions by nine tonnes per person. It is a challenging goal, with the expected increase in population to 180,000 by 2031, which could equal approximately 20,000 homes and 400,000 to 500,000 square meters of non-residential construction, plus

significant industrial growth. “When any new company outside Guelph decides to choose a location there is always a long list of things they take into consideration,” says Rob Kerr, Corporate Manager for Community Energy. “In regards to the two new solar companies, they were both looking across Canada for a location, narrowing their search to Ontario due to the government FIT program. It is very competitive and Guelph was up against a variety of cities across Ontario. One aspect that assisted in these companies choosing Guelph was our well developed, Energy Plan–it is giving Guelph a distinct advantage over other communities.” “These are companies who are aspiring to create a community which they want to be part of–with a similar outlook towards energy,” adds Kerr. “Locating in Guelph is an advantage to them and to us. For the renewable energy companies there are local market opportunities, and the focus of the Community Energy Initiative may stimulate the use of many of their products. For Guelph, while the energy

plan was developed with the private sector playing a big role, building corporate partnerships enhances our broader community roles.” An example is outreach to the community by way of energy educational sessions, which have already begun to take place. And while the Prosperity 2020 report mentions that Guelph has significant work to do to improve its competitiveness and become a more welcoming city to business, it seems some good initiatives are in place. As well a city champion has been appointed to address the problems, if any, that Guelph has in regards to the ‘red tape’ that businesses often face. Currently at 36% of Guelph’s employment base, the community has always relied heavily on manufacturing jobs. The 1000’s of jobs that were lost in the automotive industry have since been replaced with new jobs and it seems Guelph may now be making a turn toward growth. For now, the city aims to be among the top energy performers in the world, and make this one of the most competitive and attractive communities in which to invest.

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