Heather Wright/The Independent

Ontario’s Minister of Rural Affairs says Sarnia-Lambton is sitting the drivers seat when it comes to attracting new business.

Lisa Thompson was in Sarnia Thursday for the Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce’s Business Summit. 

The Minister spoke about some of the programs the province has implemented to help rural businesses and then became enthusiastic about the infrastructure in Lambton which will spark development.

She pointed to a Huron County business which is moving its soybean processing plant to the area because it can save $30 million on the project since natural gas needed for drying the grain is readily available.

“You guys have so much opportunity,” Thompson told the crowd of business and political leaders.

“In terms of growing business and attracting new business, you guys are in such a sweet spot in this province… You’ve got the sweet spot for natural gas, ladies and gentlemen. And so one of my challenges to all of you sitting in this room today is to think about, how can we attract more business based on what we can provide so easily.”

And she says fossil fuels will be needed for some time yet.

Matthew Slotwinski of Sarnia-Lambton Economic Development agrees. 

“One of the pitches to potential investors is the fact that we have an abundance of large volumes of those core utilities that companies are going to need. It’s not just natural gas, the abundance of water, the abundance of wastewater capabilities, the abundance of electricity capabilities in the area, are all contributors to economic opportunity,” he said.