Thriving on Industry and Innovation

An emerging hub where industrial strength meets outdoor living along the river’s edge.

When Business View last spoke with St. Clair Mayor Jeff Agar, the riverside township was already leveraging its natural beauty and industrial strength to attract growth. This year, we revisited to see how key projects have advanced, and found a community making bold strides in infrastructure, housing, and quality of life.

Nestled along the St. Clair River, the township offers a rare blend of economic vitality and resort-like amenities. “It’s a beautiful place, our main life here is there’s refineries for jobs, lots of jobs, and we have lots of beautiful parks,” says Agar, underscoring the region’s industrial backbone. 

From its industrial roots to its recreational ambitions, St. Clair is a community where progress flows as steadily as the riverfront it celebrates.

The Heart of St. Clair

Life in St. Clair revolves around its crown jewel, the St. Clair River. With 12 waterfront parks and multiple boat launches, the township offers residents and visitors alike a gateway to the water. 

“We have two campgrounds that we operate that actually are on the river as well, and then we have a third campground that’s very close to the river,” explains Chief Administrative Officer John Rodey. This easy access to nature fosters a resort-like atmosphere, where summers buzz with boating and riverside strolls.

The township recently completed a $4 million renovation of its golf course clubhouse, set to open within months, while the nearby community center and arena received $7 million in upgrades. For younger residents, a new skate park and repurposed tennis courts now cater to pickleball enthusiasts. “As recreational needs change, we’re sort of repurposing spaces,” Rodey notes, highlighting the community’s responsiveness to trends.

A standout feature is the River Trail, a scenic pathway connecting St. Clair to neighboring towns. “It’s basically all tourists,” says Agar. “They can start from Sarnia and go 50 miles downriver.” This trail, years in the making, has become a cornerstone of the township’s tourism strategy.

“If I didn’t live here, I’d want to be a tourist here,” Agar adds, summing up St. Clair’s allure. Between its natural assets and adaptable amenities, the township makes it easy to see why.

Twin Engines: Industry & Agriculture

St. Clair’s economic strength lies in its industrial might. Home to Nova Chemicals, the largest refinery in Chemical Valley, along with Shell and CF Industries, the township thrives on high-value manufacturing. “Most of our industry is large,” Rodey explains. “Nova, I think, is on over 500 acres of land.” With thousands of acres still zoned for industrial use, the potential for growth is vast.

Agriculture forms the other pillar of the local economy. “Our agriculture here is unbelievable too, acres upon acres upon acres of soybeans and corn, wherever you drive here, that’s all you see is agriculture,” explains Agar. 

“We have a Suncor ethanol plant and, of course, the basis for ethanol is corn. So, a lot of our local farmers grow to feed that ethanol plant,” adds Rodey, underscoring the symbiotic relationship between farmland and industry.

Future opportunities loom on the horizon, though some face delays. The Diageo Crown Royal whiskey plant, fully approved with land secured, remains paused. “It’s not anything that the municipality has done,” Agar clarifies. “I think it’s because of a lot of what’s going on with tariffs,  so we’re kind of on hold with that right now.” 

Meanwhile, St. Clair is competing for a new hydro plant, possibly nuclear or hydrogen-based. “We’re in the running with two other municipalities,” says Agar. “Which would be great for us if that can be built too.”

Between its robust industrial base and deep agricultural roots, St. Clair’s economy is built to last, and poised for what comes next.

Building Tomorrow’s St. Clair

St. Clair is experiencing a housing surge that mirrors its economic momentum. A major subdivision is expanding with plans for 200+ single-family homes, while two townhouse developments specifically target seniors. “They’re bungalow townhouses geared towards sort of empty nesters and seniors,” explains Rodey. 

Near the soon-to-open medical center, a proposed apartment building promises to fill another critical need. “I think it’s catering to an older demographic and that would be a good location for it,” Rodey says.

Agar highlights the affordability crisis: “A starter home when we were young was 50,000. Now a starter home is like half a million.” With rental prices soaring to 2,000/month in nearby Sarnia, the township is exploring creative solutions, including accessory dwellings. 

“The province here has allowed a sort of second dwellings in existing units and perhaps an accessory structure such as a garage, and we are having some interest in that. It’s twofold. In some instances, it’s for parents, and in other instances, it gives property owners an opportunity to get some rental income to make that house more affordable,” explains Rodey. 

Infrastructure forms the backbone of this growth. The $50 million wastewater treatment plant expansion, bolstered by a $34 million provincial grant, will be transformative. “That’s a huge amount,” Agar admits. “It’s unheard of.” 

“The province recognizes that as a municipality we have a great deal of land that’s designated and zoned for industrial use, but we didn’t have the sewage capacity in order to have it developed. The province has seen that as a potential long-term investment that we hope will reap us benefits, but also the province benefits, because we virtually have thousands of acres of industrial land that we will be able to develop at some point once we get the sewage treatment plant up and running,” Rodey adds. 

Meanwhile, road and bridge projects address aging systems, including a $4 million river bridge. “You’d never think…these are just bridges to cross over a little creek,” Agar marvels. “It’s amazing the cost.” 

Downtown is evolving too. The new medical center nears completion, while vacant land near recreational facilities hints at future mixed-use potential. “Right across from our sports complex, there’s lots of land available,” Agar notes, envisioning a hotel to serve hockey tournaments and golfers.

From housing to highways, St. Clair’s investments are paving the way for sustainable growth, one project at a time.

The Road Ahead

St. Clair’s leadership sees untapped potential in sports tourism, with Agar championing a riverfront hotel to complement the township’s recreational jewels. “Our civic center has a double ice pad and indoor pool, plus fitness facilities,” Rodey explains, noting adjacent assets like the museum and 18-hole golf course.

The township’s emergency services underscore its commitment to residents. With six fire halls, a rarity for a community its size, St. Clair prioritizes safety. “We have a lot of protection for our residents too,” Agar proudly states. 

The coming 18 months will be defined by infrastructure execution. The $50 million wastewater treatment plant remains the cornerstone project while road and bridge work continues. 

“We have another big project in Corunna that’s part of waste treatment too,” Agar adds. “Industry used to handle their own wastewater, now they want to tie into municipal systems because it’s cheaper for them.”

“I think a lot will go into our infrastructure to make sure we’re on top of that because that’s how you bring industry, you have to make sure you have everything down,” says Agar. 

Looking ahead, Agar balances ambition with realism about funding processes: “It’s all doable, but you have to get the right person to come along.” Yet his confidence in St. Clair’s foundation never wavers.

The Canadian Edge

As Agar reflects on the township’s appeal, his perspective transcends municipal growth. “We Canadians have it good here. Let’s not sell Canada short, there’s so much available right in our own communities.” 

His words capture St. Clair’s essence, a place that values its industrial roots and natural gifts equally. This philosophy permeates St. Clair’s approach, whether nurturing its industrial base or expanding recreational opportunities. The township has mastered the art of building upon its assets without losing its character. 

From innovative housing solutions to strategic infrastructure investments, each development serves a dual purpose, addressing immediate needs while preserving the quality of life that draws people to the riverfront community. For residents and businesses alike, that’s the most promising foundation of all.

AT A GLANCE

Who: St. Clair Township, ON

What: A riverfront community balancing industrial power with resort-like amenities

Where: Southwestern Ontario

Website: www.stclairtownship.ca