Quality of Life
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is a community on the rise. With a population of 110,000, we are located in Southwestern Ontario just minutes from the Detroit/Windsor border. There are three major US border crossings, and three international airports within a one-hour drive and we are serviced by a local municipal airport that accommodates corporate aircraft.
Chatham-Kent is proud to be positioned as a “Leader” within the Province of Ontario’s Green Energy Strategy. Companies looking to establish themselves within the Province of Ontario can be assured that Chatham-Kent is not only a community that endorses and supports green energy initiatives; it is committed to using it. As an example, three of the six successful green power Wind Farm proposals awarded contracts by the Ontario Power Authority in 2009 located in Chatham-Kent. Other Green Energy companies with projects underway in Chatham-Kent include Kruger Energy, Wind Prospect, Gengrowth, MK Ince, First Solar and Skypower Solar.
Chatham-Kent is proud to be the home to a number of internationally recognized companies including Greenfield Ethanol, Precismeca, MSSC, Advanced Emissions Technology, KSR International, Autoliv and Martinrea Fabco (Dresden and Ridgetown). Chatham-Kent is also the site for the head offices of Pioneer Hi-Bred (A Dupont Company) and Union Gas (A Spectra Energy Company).
Two post-secondary institutions are located within Chatham-Kent, offering a wide range of educational programming for continuous learning. St. Clair College of Applied Arts and Technology, Thames Campus in Chatham seeks to meet the educational needs of students and the training needs of business and industry. A range of post-secondary, post-diploma, apprenticeships, continuous learning and contract training programs and services are available in the areas of technology and trades, health, community services, adult education, applied arts, and business. The enrolment at the Thames Campus of St. Clair College included 1,000 post-secondary students and 4,500 continuing education/adult education students. The University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus is a centre of expertise and information for environmental management amongst other applied research programs that address the bio-economy and bio-resource management in relation to agriculture, horticulture and environmental industries. The most recent initiative on campus includes a new bio-fuels and renewable energy centre.
Chatham-Kent quality of life is enhanced further by the completion of four major capital investments in tourism, culture, recreation and education. The opening of a new YMCA in 2011, a new live performance theatre, the Capitol Theatre, a new premiere conference, convention, trade show and meeting centre in the region and a state-of-the-art Health-Plex recreation and fitness facility at St. Clair College. These four projects represent investment exceeding $50 million dollars and ensures our community continues to be a model for progress, sustainability and future growth.