“The United Food and Commercial
Workers union worked hard to get employees
the best deal they could. Farmers looked at
changing their crops, where they could. And
council made some forward-thinking
decisions regarding new development and
industry to make sure Leamington was
attractive to investors.”
The hit to local jobs was mitigated by
Highbury Canco, an Ontario investment
company that moved into the Heinz plant last
June and immediately contracted with some
of the local farmers. According to various
reports, Highbury currently employs about
300 people, most of them former Heinz
workers. Like Heinz, it will also be hiring
seasonal workers between July and October.
“We’ve landed on our feet,” says
Paterson. “And not just because of Highbury
Canco. We’ve worked hard to make
Leamington attractive to new investment,
including the decision to eliminate
development charges for the next three
years.”
It’s paying off. Paterson hints at major
projects on the horizon in Leamington,
including new residential subdivisions and at
least three new industrial builds.
Leamington has other things in the ‘pro’
column for those living and working there,
and always has. It’s got one of the warmest
climates in the country, shares the region’s
low housing prices, and is home to
recreational and natural activities other
locales would envy. Less than a decade ago, it
claimed Moneysense magazine’s top spot for
Best Places To Live In Canada. Culturally and
ethnically diverse, Leamington’s 30,000
residents welcome visitors from around the
globe for its Monarch butterfly and bird
migrations, fishing and boating.
“There was no mass exodus,” says Bruce
Tilden, broker of record at Century21 in
Leamington. “And we’re seeing lots of retirees
and others who are new to the area.” Many
arrivals from other parts of Ontario and
Canada see a financial surplus after buying
homes here, which they can then invest in the
community. “We’re not seeing a huge loss in
real estate from the closure.”
Tilden acknowledges a different “feel” in
the community post-Heinz. “We’re a strong
and resilient community, agricultural
communities usually are, but we’re...careful.”
Paterson agrees there’s a unique
resilience to an agricultural community. “Our
pull up your socks and get on with it attitude
is probably due to the fact that farming has
never been an easy lifestyle. “
Leamington certainly isn’t standing still.
There’s new high school coming, and other
sectors are going strong. “We have a beautiful
art gallery and our performing arts
community is gathering steam. We’re working
with Point Pelee and other agencies to open
the new Monarch Butterfly Trail. We’ve got
two shovel-ready sewer lines to facilitate
further residential development,” says
Paterson.
“There’s huge potential here,” says
Tilden. “New business get help from the
municipality and existing businesses, there’s
plenty of opportunity for expansion. The
promise is here of better things.”
Paterson agrees, crediting, in part,
Leamington’s council. The elected
representatives,