Economic and Community Profile - Strathroy

MUNICIPALITY OF STRATHROY-CARADOC
ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY PROFILE
www.strathroy-caradoc.ca
COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC PROFILE
Strathroy-Caradoc is a growing and vibrant municipality centrally-located in Southwestern Ontario,
Canada between Toronto and Detroit. We are a dynamic combination of urban and rural areas which
provide opportunities for a range of business and industry. Whether manufacturing, agri-business or
logistical operations, Strathroy-Caradoc has an established business community of industry innovators
and leaders.
Our industrial and business parks contain the modern infrastructure needed to help your business
succeed and our access to regional and international markets, including close proximity to the United
States border, is on your doorstep with direct access to rail and trucking routes. Our labour force is
highly skilled with competitive wage and benefit rates.
We pride ourselves on our business-friendly culture and can ensure timely development approvals and
very competitive tax and utilities rates.
POPULATION & DEMOGRAPHICS
In 2011, Strathroy-Caradoc (Township) had a population of 20,978, representing a percentage change
of 5.1% from 2006. The percentage of the working age population (15 to 64) was 64.2%.
MUNICIPALITY OF STRATHROY-CARADOC
ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY PROFILE
www.strathroy-caradoc.ca
WORKFORCE
With its central location, easy access from Highway 402, and a well maintained county road system,
Strathroy-Caradoc has a labour pool of almost a quarter of a million people to draw from. Additionally,
close to half a million people live within a 30 minute drive of Strathroy-Caradoc. This includes London
and St. Thomas. We have a diversified and well-educated workforce with over 40% having completed
postsecondary education. Of these, 80% have received certificates or diplomas from technical/business colleges and trade schools.
A low rate of unionization also makes Strathroy-Caradoc an attractive place for business. Within our
top 5 automotive businesses only 1 is unionized. Hourly wage rates on average vary from $14 to $33.
Further, all 5 companies substantiate that hiring of qualified personnel has never been an issue.
Total Population: 20,978
Population Within 30 Minutes: 460,000
Total Labour Force: 11 700
Labour Force Within 30 Minutes: 240,400
Percentage of Work Force with Post-secondary Education: 42
Manufacturing Unionization Rate (%): 5.4
Top 5 Private Sector Employers in Strathroy-Caradoc
Meridian Technologies: Manufacturer of high pressure magnesium die castings - 500
Vari Form Inc: Manufacturer of structural tube components - 350
KML Andersen: Manufacturer of Windows & Doors - 285
Cuddy Farms: Agricultural / Food Processing (Poultry) - 192
L.H. Gray & Sons Ltd: Agricultural / Food Processing - 125
MUNICIPALITY OF STRATHROY-CARADOC
ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY PROFILE
www.strathroy-caradoc.ca
STRATEGIC
LOCATION
Centrally located in Southwestern Ontario adjacent to Highway 402, and well serviced by Canadian
National Railways, Strathroy-Caradoc is only a short trip to the important markets in Ontario and has
easy access to much of the Great Lakes Region. It is less than an hour drive to a US border-crossings
and a direct connection to Highway 401 is less than 20-minutes away on Highway 402. Companies
located in Strathroy-Caradoc can reach over 120 million consumers within one-days shipping time.
Additionally, Strathroy-Caradoc is within driving distance to a number of Ontario’s major urban centres,
educational and medical institutions, as well as areas recreational and natural heritage.
Selected Distances to Market in Kilometres
Windsor / Detroit: 180 kms
Woodstock: 90 kms
Chatham: 90 kms
Brantford: 130 kms
Sarnia / Port Huron: 75 kms
Waterloo / Kitchener / Cambridge: 140 kms
London: 35 kms
Hamilton: 160 kms
St. Thomas: 50 kms
Toronto: 225 kms
Ingersoll: 75 kms
Located within 2-hours’ drive of
Strathroy-Caradoc
Ontario Universities: 6
US Border Crossings: 2
Ontario Colleges: 7
Great Lakes: 3
Provincial Parks: 12
National Park: 1
MUNICIPALITY OF STRATHROY-CARADOC
ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY PROFILE
www.strathroy-caradoc.ca
TRANSPORTATION LINKS
Our location provides direct access by rail and road with nearby links to air and water, allowing for the
easy flow of goods and people to North American and world markets. Local companies and industries
can reach over 120 million consumers within one day’s shipping time.
Passenger and Freight Service
Strathroy-Caradoc is situated on the Canadian National Railway mainline running between Toronto
and Chicago. Passenger and freight service between US and Canadian centres is frequent.
Direct Links to International Airports
Business travellers enjoy direct bus service between Strathroy-Caradoc and the Pearson International
Airport in Toronto and the International Airports in London and Hamilton. These bus links are used by
vacation and business travellers alike because of the many scheduled daily returns.
International Highway Connections
Our location along Highway 402, means companies in Strathroy-Caradoc easily reach the wide North
American consumer market. Highway 402 is a vital four-lane link to the Sarnia - Port Huron border
crossing, connecting to Interstates 94 and 75 in the United States. Additionally the 402 also connects
to other 400 Series highways that lead west to Windsor and Detroit and east through Central Ontario,
Toronto, and on to the Ontario/Quebec border. Strathroy-Caradoc is served by many transportation
companies including companies with their own fleets.
MUNICIPALITY OF STRATHROY-CARADOC
ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY PROFILE
www.strathroy-caradoc.ca
UTILITIES & RATES
The Molnar Industrial Park in Strathroy’s north end was created in the mid-1990s. All services to the
area are recent and able to provide long term reliable use. Another feature of the Industrial Park, is that
it is operated at a higher water pressure compared to the rest of the community. Water pressures to this
area are kept in the 60-70 psi range. The Industrial Park has been expanded with two additional phases
in 2007 and 2010 to enhance the industrial land inventory available for development.
Water Distribution
The Strathroy Water System receives water from the Lake Huron Primary Water Supply System. The
pipeline for this project was installed in 2005 and has a capacity of 54 700 m3/day. The current average
day flow for Strathroy in 2010 was 4 795 m3/day. The pipeline is projected to provide a minimum 40
year water supply. See Schedule of 2015 rates, enclosed.
Sanitary Sewer Collection System
The Strathroy Sewage Treatment Plant was upgraded in 2000 to a capacity of 10 000 m3/day. The
2010 average daily flow for the facility was 5 282 m3/day. The facility was designed based on a 20 year
horizon with expansion forecasted in 2020. See Schedule of 2015 rates, enclosed.
Hydro Services
Hydro services for Strathroy are provided by Entegrus Powerlines Inc. The substation is located in
close proximity to the property. MPDC reports no power quality issues in the area.
Gas Services
Gas services distribution services are provided by Union Gas.