the region transforms into a hub for advanced manufacturing and Electric Vehicle (EV) Battery Cell and component production. “Tillsonburg is located in the southern part of Southwestern Ontario. We’re on the north side of Lake Erie, just across from Ohio, New York state, and Michigan,” explains Cephas Panschow, Development Commissioner with the Town of Tillsonburg.“We’re in the part of Ontario often referred to, perhaps jokingly, as the banana belt.Typically, we get much less severe winters.” HIGHWAY 3 CORRIDOR AND ADVANCED MANUFACTURING With Canada emerging as a global leader in electric vehicle manufacturing, the Highway 3 corridor is rapidly transforming into a powerhouse for advanced manufacturing with Tillsonburg strategically positioned to capitalize on the industry’s exponential growth. “Within Ontario, as in many other jurisdictions, there is a push to expand the market share of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure,” says Panschow. “When you look at the manufacturing commitments made for electric vehicles and supply chain, Canada is now number one in the world for electric vehicle supply, with investments exceeding $44 billion in Ontario alone in terms of electric vehicle and related supply chain investments.” This dramatic shift in automotive manufacturing represents one of the largest industrial transformations in Canadian history, with significant implications for communities along Highway 3. The nearby PowerCo facility, a Volkswagen subsidiary, exemplifies this trend with its $7 billion investment in St. Thomas, just 30 minutes west of Tillsonburg. “The PowerCo facility will be the largest industrial facility in Canada and one of the largest in the world,” Panschow notes. “Construction is already underway along Provincial Highway 3 in St. Thomas.” Highway 3, which directly services Tillsonburg’s industrial areas, is increasingly viewed as a critical economic artery. The province is investing $138 million to double its size between Essex and Leamington, signaling its growing importance for industrial development. The province is prioritizing ‘international traffic flow’ as a key consideration in the Highway 3 doubling project. This initiative connects strategically with the St. Thomas battery plant development, which includes constructing a ring road and realigning Highway 3 to optimize commercial transportation. 141 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 05 TILLSONBURG, ON
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