Ontario Investing $838,000 to Protect Workers in Amherstburg from U.S. Tariffs

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AMHERSTBURG- The Ontario government is protecting tariff-impacted workers and industries in the Town of Amherstburg with an investment of $838,000 through the Trade-Impacted Communities Program(TICP). In the face of economic uncertainty, the TICP initiative is a tactical tool the government launched last year to protect good-paying jobs and build resilient, self-reliant communities across the province. Today's announcement marks the first deployment of funding under the $40 million program and reflects Ontario's ongoing work to support industry and jobs in Amherstburg and the surrounding area, creating nearly 500 new jobs and protecting 244 more in just the last four weeks.

"As U.S. tariffs continue to impact industries across Ontario, our government is taking decisive action to ensure our regional communities have the tools needed to withstand these economic pressures and attract new, long-term investment," said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. "Through the Trade-Impacted Communities Program, we are proud to support the Town of Amherstburg's diversification strategy, which will position them for new trade partnerships and strengthen the resilience of local supply chains."

As the first recipient of the program's funding, the Town of Amherstburg will invest over $1.1 million to launch the Amherstburg Investment Readiness and Economic Diversification Strategy. The project will enhance the region's competitiveness and investment readiness by preparing more than 700 acres of industrial land at Howard Industrial Park. As a border town disproportionately impacted by U.S. tariffs, this investment will also support the diversification of Amherstburg's supply chains, driving growth and expanded trade partnerships across priority sectors, including advanced manufacturing, agri-business and clean technology.

"Amherstburg is a great place to invest, do business and create jobs," said Anthony Leardi, MPP for Essex. "We are home to a skilled workforce and a long history of manufacturing and talent. This investment from the Ontario government helps position our region for success and a strong economic future."

First announced as part of the province's nearly $30 billion tariff relief and support plan, the TICP is dedicated to projects geared at strengthening economic resilience and competitiveness across industries and communities disproportionately impacted by global trade disruptions. The program will also support the diversification of supply chains across Ontario's priority sectors, while increasing export and investment opportunities to reduce reliance on U.S. markets.

"We are grateful for this support from the Ontario government," said Michael Prue, Mayor of Amherstburg. "This timely funding will enable us to attract investment into our community, creating more jobs and contributing to our tax base. By better understanding the strengths of the Howard Industrial Park and identifying where supply chain gaps exist, Amherstburg will be well positioned to attract the right investment that supports long-term economic growth."

As Ontario continues to navigate the impacts of U.S. tariffs and global economic uncertainty, the government remains focused on delivering critical funding, cutting red tape and positioning our local economies to be more competitive, resilient and investment ready across priority sectors.

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