The Oshawa Port Authority has approved the request by FarmTech Energy Corporation to lease a parcel of land on the Port’s industrial East side for the purpose of building a $200 million state-of-the-art ethanol facility thereby creating hundreds of new jobs, and attracting new opportunity and investment to Oshawa.

“We are extremely pleased to be able to make this contribution to the citizens of Oshawa and the Region of Durham.  Not only will the FarmTech project bolster the region’s economy, but it opens an exciting new chapter in the storied history of Oshawa’s industrial, deep water port.” said Authority Chairman, Gary Valcour.  As Dan O’Connor, President of FarmTech noted, “This modern facility will bring tremendous economic benefits to Oshawa, including 300 construction jobs, 50 well paying full time jobs, and hundreds of industry related jobs in farming, shipping and port operations.”

The Regional Municipality of Durham would like to advise businesses and residents that Simcoe Street North (Regional Road 2) between Colborne Street and Bond Street will be under construction beginning July 16. The proposed work will include road rehabilitation, watermain and sanitary sewer reconstruction.

The Region’s contractor, Sam Rabito Construction Ltd., will mobilize their equipment and personnel to commence work the week of July 16, and plan to complete the project by the end of December.

The Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce in presentations to City Council and Committee in June called for all the facts on the runway extension and supported the council resolution to host a public meeting and an Independent Peer Review and Gap Analysis recommended by the City staff. The Chamber felt the review would address the environmental, noise, and safety concerns as well as the economic and business case for the runway extension.

The Durham Economic Prosperity Conference (DEPC), introduced in 2006, was an unprecedented success. Since then, every second year forward thinking leaders from across the region meet to discuss the most pressing issues facing Durham Region. In an effort to maximize the Region’s economic opportunities and follow up on the success of the 2010 Conference, the Committee has met and plans are underway for the fourth Economic Conference on the future of Durham Region. The Conference, slated for November 9th 2012, will see CEOs from many of the most influential companies in the Region, government leaders, university and college presidents, forward-thinking entrepreneurs, labour leaders and non-profit executives come together to share a common goal—moving Durham’s economy forward.

Ontario Chamber Report. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is looking for input from its members on the business subsidy programs being reviewed by Ontario’s Jobs & Prosperity Council. Ontario launched the new Jobs and Prosperity Council this spring after announcing its creation in the 2012 budget. The Council will be responsible for consolidating Ontario’s business support programs and finding savings of $250 million.

We urge members to provide input to the OCC on how changes to these programs may impact their business. Please refer to the following list of business expenditures by Ministry, potentially affected business support programs. Please refer to the Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation website for more information on the Jobs and Prosperity Council.

The OCC asks members to send input to Angie Brennand, VP Policy & Government Relations at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by no later than July 24^th 2012.

The Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce made presentations supporting an Independent Peer Review and Gap Analysis being recommended by the City staff which will address the environmental, noise, and safety concerns as well as the economic and new business case.