Invest in Middlesex

08/31/2026

The Canadian Plowing Championship is coming to Middlesex County.

From September 2 to 4, the Middlesex Plowmen's Association hosts Canada's top competitive plowmen at the Van Geffen farm on Egremont Drive in Adelaide Metcalfe, near Strathroy.

Agriculture is one of Middlesex County's foundational industries, and national events like this put our farm community, our land, and our agri-business sector in front of visitors from across the country.

Event highlights:
🎉 Opening ceremonies and Parade of Tractors, September 2 at 8:30 AM
🚜 Competition plowing daily at 10:00 AM
🍽️ Community BBQ and charity auction, September 2
🌟 Celebration banquet at Caradoc Sands, September 4

Middlesex County Municipality of Middlesex Centre Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc Municipality of North Middlesex Municipality of Southwest Middlesex Township of Adelaide Metcalfe Township of Lucan Biddulph Municipality of Thames Centre

08/26/2026

School infrastructure is economic development infrastructure.

The Ontario Government has announced funding for three school projects in Middlesex County :

An expanded replacement for St. Patrick Catholic Elementary School in the Township of Lucan Biddulph (Lucan), with capacity for 424 students. An addition at Parkview Public School in the Municipality of Middlesex Centre (Komoka), adding 225 student spaces. An addition at West Nissouri Public School in the Municipality of Thames Centre (Thorndale), adding 207 student spaces.

That is more than 850 student spaces coming to communities across the county.

These investments respond to real growth. Lucan Biddulph, Middlesex Centre and Thames Centre are among the fastest-growing communities in the region, driven by new residential development and families choosing Middlesex County as a place to live and work.

For employers, this matters. Modern schools and expanded capacity make it easier to attract and retain workforce talent. For investors and developers, it signals that public infrastructure is keeping pace with growth.

Thank you to the Province of Ontario for investing in the communities where our workforce lives.

Learn more about growing in Middlesex County: https://ow.ly/9akh50ZFnu6

Read the full funding announcement here:
https://ow.ly/MMVA50ZFnu7

08/25/2026

Demand for industrial space in Southwestern Ontario is growing.

According to Colliers' Q2 2026 Southwestern Ontario Industrial Market Report, businesses across the region occupied approximately 562,000 sq. ft. more industrial space than they vacated last quarter, a clear signal of expansion and new activity.

Closer to home, CBRE's Q2 2026 Industrial Market Report points to continued growth in manufacturing employment and GDP in the region, underscoring the strength and resilience of our regional manufacturing economy.

With strategic access to Highways 401 and 402, a skilled workforce and room for business growth, Middlesex County is well positioned to build on this momentum and welcome new investment.

Sources:
Canada Industrial Figures Q2 2026 - CBRE – https://www.cbre.ca/insights/figures/canada-industrial-figures-q2-2026
Southwestern Ontario Industrial MR 2026Q2 – Colliers - https://www.collierscanada.com/-/media/files/canada/research/2026/q2/southwestern-ontario-industrial-q226-report-1.ashx?sc_lang=en-ca

08/24/2026

Supporting Middlesex County Businesses Through Changing Trade Conditions

Recent tariff discussions between Canada and the United States continue to create uncertainty for businesses, particularly those involved in cross-border trade or dependent on integrated supply chains.

Middlesex County Economic Development is monitoring these developments and will continue to update our Tariff and Trade Resources page as new information, government programs, and business supports become available.

We also recognize that the impacts will vary from business to business. Companies may be facing changes to input costs, supply chains, customer relationships, export markets, or future investment decisions. Middlesex County businesses do not need to navigate these changes alone.

Our Economic Development team is available to meet confidentially, one-on-one with businesses that are experiencing or anticipating impacts. These conversations allow us to better understand the challenges facing individual businesses, help identify relevant programs and resources, connect businesses with government and industry partners, and explore opportunities to respond and adapt.

If your business is being affected by the changing trade environment, or you have questions about the resources available, we encourage you to contact our office any time at [email protected]
https://www.investinmiddlesex.ca/alerts/navigating-canada-us-tariffs

08/24/2026

🌾 SAVE THE DATE! 🚜
Invest in Middlesex County’s Annual Agri-Business Tour
📅 Thursday, October 1, 2026

Join Middlesex County’s Department of Economic Development for a day of local innovation, agriculture, and connection as we explore the diverse businesses helping shape the future of agri-business in our region.

Mark your calendar and stay tuned. Tour starting point, registration details, and more are coming soon.
October 1st – we hope to see you on the tour!

08/21/2026

A new kind of home has opened its doors in Lucan.

Highview Lucan officially welcomed the community on August 18, with residents set to move in this September. The 53-suite residence brings three types of living together under one roof: retirement living, specialized dementia care, and supported independent living for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, autism, and other forms of neurodiversity.

The opening also means new local jobs. Highview is hiring in Lucan across a range of roles, from Developmental Service Workers and nurses to recreation staff, housekeepers, and cooks. It's a meaningful addition to housing, care capacity, and employment in the Township of Lucan Biddulph.

We love to see this kind of investment in Middlesex County. New housing, expanded care capacity, and local employment all in one project is a win for Lucan Biddulph and the county as a whole.

Interested in joining the team? Visit highviewres.com/careers

Read more from the Lakeshore Advance: https://lnkd.in/g76AD8jP

08/20/2026

Exciting infrastructure investment is taking shape today in Middlesex County, where a new 35-metre telecommunications tower is being constructed at the Kilworth Business Park in the Municipality of Middlesex Centre.

The project will help close an important coverage gap in the area, where the nearest existing towers are roughly 3 km away. The newly constructed tower is designed for co-location, allowing multiple telecommunications carriers to share one structure.

New investments like this mean:
• Better connectivity to help local businesses operate and grow.
• More opportunities for residents to engage in remote and hybrid work.
• Support for growing communities and quality of life.
• Improved access to reliable communications, including 911 services, when they matter most.

Modern telecommunications infrastructure is as important as roads, water, and other essential services. Investments that strengthen our digital infrastructure ultimately strengthen our ability to attract investment, support business expansion, and build connected, resilient communities.

Another great step forward for Middlesex County as a region to live, work, invest and grow.


CBRE

08/19/2026

Big news for Strathroy-Caradoc! 🏗️ Construction is officially underway on two new stores: Marshalls and FreshCo, at Strathroy Crossing Plaza, next to Canadian Tire and near Walmart.

Fantastic to share this development is moving forward, bringing new retail choices, new local jobs, and more walkable amenities to one of Middlesex County's fastest-growing communities. Both stores are expected to open by summer 2027.

This is what investment in Middlesex looks like: new businesses, new opportunities, and continued growth for local residents. 📈

of Strathroy-Caradoc

08/19/2026

Skilled trades talent is the number one constraint manufacturers tell us about. Here's a way to build your own.

The Technical Training Group (TTG) has Fall 2026 seats open for apprenticeship in-school training, including Level 1 Welding delivered locally in Strathroy. The part-time evening format (2 nights a week) means your apprentices stay on the floor during the workday, so production doesn't take the hit that block release schedules can cause.

Strathroy: Level 1 Welding, evenings, starts September
Stratford: Levels 1-3 Welding, Metal Fabricating and General Machining, evenings or day release, starting September and October

Training is delivered by Red Seal certified professionals with 25+ years of experience.

If you've got apprentices waiting on in-school seats, call TTG at 519-801-8641 before fall intake fills.

#𝙢𝙞𝙙𝙙𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙮

08/18/2026

Applications are open for the Foodpreneur Advantage Scale-Up/Accelerator Program Fall 2026 Cohort!

If you're a growth-focused food or beverage manufacturer, producer, or distributor, this 10-session program is built for you — expert guidance, hands-on workshops, and industry connections to help take your business to the next level.

📅 Program runs October 2026 – March 2027
📍 Apply now: https://foodpreneuradvantage.ca/scale-up-accelerator-program/

Applications open August 11 for the Foodpreneur Advantage Scale-Up/Accelerator Program – Fall 2026 Cohort!

Designed for growth-focused food and beverage manufacturers, producers, and distributors, this 10-session journey offers expert guidance, practical workshops, and valuable industry connections to help you scale your business.

📅 Program runs October 2026 – March 2027

Learn more - link in bio. 👆