A $45 million investment is being made in Chatham-Kent.
It was announced this morning at a press conference that Brightenview Development International is building a 680,000-square-foot facility in Blenheim’s industrial park, being called the Global Development Centre.
The centre is hoping to be the home to approximately 80 different international businesses.
Reports say the project is expected to attract up to $100 million in investment and create up to 500 jobs.
Press release from the Mayor’s office:
“We invite newcomers to call Chatham-Kent home and work to prosper together,” said Chatham-Kent Mayor Randy Hope, speaking at a sod turning ceremony this morning at the Blenheim Industrial Park. Mayor Hope welcomed Saskatoon-based Brightenview Development International Inc. and its new Global Development Centre (GDC). The first-of-its kind centre will provide manufacturing space and a full array of support services to up to 100 small and mid-sized manufacturing companies from Asia and Europe. The project is expected to attract up to $100 million in investment and create up to 500 jobs at full capacity.
“Brightenview chose Chatham-Kent because we have created a competitive environment to attract new international business investment and jobs as well as position the community for growth,” said Hope. “We worked long and hard to demonstrate that we are a warm, welcoming community with a skilled workforce, excellent communications and transportation links, serviced land and a determination to provide the community support that business people deserve. I know our entire community will welcome our newcomers as friends and neighbours, as well as for the capital, entrepreneurship and management expertise they bring.”
In his remarks, Joe Zhou, the CEO and Executive Director of Brightenview Development International Inc., said, “Chatham-Kent has made a significant effort in actively seeking out global businesses to invest in Chatham-Kent, and has developed a keen understanding of what it will take to attract international businesses. Mayor Hope and his team reached out to Brightenview – and the GDC in Chatham-Kent is a direct result of those efforts. We are also grateful for the support of all Chatham-Kent Council members in securing this project for the community.”
The cost of designing and constructing the Global Development Centre is estimated at $45 million. The centre is scheduled to open in spring 2016.
Press release form Brightenview Development International Inc:
Asian and European manufacturers can soon go direct to North American production and distribution through a first-of-its-kind, strategic base in the heart of the North American market. The new Global Development Centre (GDC) in Chatham-Kent, Ontario, will provide space and a full array of support services to up to 100 small and mid-sized companies as they set up their manufacturing. It is estimated that the project will attract up to $100 million (Canadian) in investment and create up to 500 jobs at full capacity. Design and construction of the centre are scheduled for completion in spring 2016.
Brightenview Development International Inc. and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent announced the creation of the GDC in a news conference this morning (Friday September 26) at the GDC site in the Blenheim Industrial Park. Based in Saskatoon, Brightenview is a leading developer of international business projects.
The company is investing in, developing and will be operating the Global Development Centre. The cost of development and construction is estimated at $45 million (Canadian).
The company’s CEO and Executive Director, Joe Zhou, said, “Brightenview was attracted to CK by the proactive leadership of the municipality’s Mayor Randy Hope, Councillor Art Stirling and the Economic Development Services team – their work was invaluable. I also want to acknowledge the support of all Chatham-Kent Council members, particularly Councillors Karen Herman and Frank Vercouteren, in securing this project for the community. In addition to the welcoming community and pro-business environment, access to the U.S., the readiness of the business park, a highly skilled labor force, and the community’s quality of life have made this location desirable. We are also very pleased with the encouragement and support from the Government of Ontario to the GDC project initiative. Chatham-Kent is located on a strategic hot spot, in terms of logistics, on the country’s Asia Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative.”
Brightenview plans to build up to 400,000 square feet of workshop, 250,000 square feet of warehouse distribution, and 30,000 square feet of service office space. The Global Development Centre will allow international manufacturers to do what they do best – manufacture – while the centre provides the needed Canadian support services such as strategic development, administration, logistics, financial services, legal services, labour law support, marketing communications, and after-sale services.
“Brightenview’s advanced business model offers an integrated professional service platform so that global manufacturers can establish turnkey business operations. This model mitigates the risk of starting up a business in North America and successfully accessing the market,” said Zhou. “We work with new business arrivals to overcome the barriers of entering an unfamiliar market. The manufacturers can focus on what they do best and have a real fighting chance.”
“The GDC project has been a real collaboration between the municipality and Brightenview,” said Chatham-Kent Mayor Randy Hope. “Members of Council and economic development staff members were ready for this opportunity. We had all the information at our fingertips, and were able to demonstrate to Brightenview all the advantages of locating in Chatham-Kent. We are very pleased by this large step forward for our community, and we will work continually with the new Global Development Centre. Not only will the incoming international companies provide jobs, but they will also bring capital, entrepreneurship and management expertise that we can expect will lead to other developments. We invite newcomers to call Chatham-Kent home and work to prosper together.”
BACKGROUNDER
The Global Development Centre in Blenheim Business Park
A competitive environment to attract new international business investment, create jobs and position the community for growth:
– Brightenview Development International Inc. CEO and Executive Director, Joe Zhou: “Chatham-Kent has made significant effort of actively seeking out global businesses to invest in Chatham-Kent, and has developed a keen understanding of what it will take to attract international businesses. Mayor Hope and his team reached out to Brightenview, and the GDC in Chatham-Kent is a direct result of those efforts.
– Michael Burton, Director of Economic Development Services: “We are pleased to have engaged and teamed up Brightenview Development International for the planning, investment, development and operation of the GDC. Brightenview and its service providers such as Deloitte have confidence in Chatham-Kent being an active partner. We also welcome the encouragement and support of the Government of Ontario. It is a coordinated team approach that is creating this project in Chatham-Kent.”
The purpose of the Global Development Centre project:
– To support and facilitate small to mid-size global manufacturers in expanding their manufacturing in North America
– To provide an integrated commercial and service platform for global manufacturers to establish a turnkey business operation and to successfully access the North America market and global distribution channels
– The very first integrated international business platform that offers a turnkey business operation for the coming business establishments to produce, distribute and export
– More than a workshop complex, it is an economic engine designed to provide a new global SME business with all of the support and resources required to give it a fighting chance of success in North America
The HUB
– The HUB is the business resource centre and the economic engine of the GDC – it will proactively build the campus brand and create economic opportunity
– The HUB is designed to assist new GDC business owners in getting their businesses established in North America
– Staffed by professionals and specialists with access to a full spectrum of business-to-business services – serving the needs and creating economic advantage for the businesses in the GDC campus
– With up to 100 businesses under its umbrella, the HUB will have the marketing, sales, IT and purchasing power that a typical small business cannot imagine
– It will be a trusted resource that business owners can count on to deliver value in every phase of a company’s development
Photo credit: Chatham-Kent Economic Development Services
