Business View Civil and Municipal | May 2021

140 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL MAY 2021 building supplies as possible sectors. “We will most certainly accept auto investment and seek it out, but we are trying to diversify,” says Tighe. “We are in Canada’s industrial heartland in Ingersoll, we’re at the center of it. The 401 corridor gives us a lot of opportunity to attract investment, and manufacturing is our strength.” The Oxford Connections Group is a valuable community partner for the Town of Ingersoll, acting as a point of contact for companies looking to locate or expand into Oxford County, and connecting businesses to a long list of resources and information. The convenience of an easy commute is a draw when it comes to attracting a skilled workforce, enticing people from outside of the community. Tighe describes, “The nice part about Ingersoll is that our commuting shed is actually extremely large. We don’t have the traffic jams that they have in the greater Toronto area, so we are able to draw talent from a lot broader area. We have employees that drive all the way from Sarnia to Ingersoll to work.” Organizations such as Workforce Development Partnership and the Local Employment Council work with the community to address workforce needs and shortages. “Most of the time, we are able to address the company’s needs and find them the right talent,” adds Tighe. “I think it’s our agricultural background that gives our people a strong work ethic. Many manufacturers have mentioned that the quality and the work ethic of our employees is second to none.” As the town’s boundary has expanded, so has the need for housing in the community. Within the 1550 acres there is a potential plan for the development of 570 residential units. As the community grows, this will still leave a housing shortage, as Deputy Mayor Fred Freeman reports, “Even with those coming in, we will still have a shortage of residential lots, based on what we should have for a 20-year span. We would need to bring in at least two more developments for residential. The fact that we are 20 minutes from