Articles

Middlesex County is pleased to share the launch of its new Economic Development and Tourism Strategic Plan. Building on the success of our previous strategy, it’s a roadmap designed to fuel growth, spark innovation, and showcase everything that makes our region a great place to live, work, build, and explore. This plan highlights what makes Middlesex County special: our collaboration, our creativity and our commitment to building for the future alongside our local and regional partners, businesses, and senior levels of government. The strategy lays out how Invest in Middlesex will work with local and regional partners on a coordinated approach to investment attraction, business retention and expansion, workforce development and tourism promotion. As an upper-tier municipality, Middlesex County plays a key role in generating opportunities, strengthening regional competitiveness, and supporting local municipal partners.

When Ontario Plants was looking to expand, they weren't just searching for available land. They were looking for a place to build their future. North America's largest propagator of young plants for greenhouse growers found that place in Middlesex County. Their newest and most state-of-the-art greenhouse facility in Glencoe is currently 12 acres, with three planned phases of expansion that will bring the site to a total of 48 acres. Combined with their established operation in St. Thomas, Ontario Plants produces approximately 60 million plants per year across both facilities, and that number is set to grow.

Middlesex County, ON, January 14, 2026 – Middlesex County is pleased to announce the three successful recipients of the 2026 Spark Mentorships & Grants Program, an initiative designed to support innovative tourism ideas that strengthen and grow the local visitor economy. The Spark Program pairs selected participants with experienced industry mentors and provides a $3,000 seed grant to help bring new tourism concepts to life. Following a competitive application and pitch process, the 2026 Middlesex County Spark Program winners are: Michael Courey – New Moon Community Homestead Phil Moddle – Arrowwood Farm & Events Dan Muzylowsky – Apple Land Station

When Norbec needed room to grow, they didn't just look for available land. They looked for a partner. The North American leader in insulated metal panels and walk-in cold storage solutions found that partner in Middlesex County. Their new 140,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Strathroy-Caradoc represents more than a strategic expansion, it's a $45 million vote of confidence in our region's ability to support advanced manufacturing at scale. Since 1982, Norbec has built a reputation across Canada and the United States for precision-engineered cold storage solutions serving food processing, pharmaceutical, and industrial sectors. As demand surged for their custom insulated panels and modular storage systems, the company faced a choice: where to invest in next-generation manufacturing capacity.

Southwest Middlesex has secured over $2 million in provincial and county support to service new industrial land in Glencoe, launching the $2.75 million Glencoe Business and Industrial Park Servicing Project. The initiative, expected to attract investment, create 150–200 permanent jobs, and support local business expansion, will provide fully serviced lots ready for development by 2027.

For nearly a century, Dashwood Industries has been shaping homes across Ontario with windows and doors that stand the test of time. Founded in 1928 in Dashwood, Ontario, the company has grown from a small local manufacturer into a trusted name in the residential and replacement market. Today, Dashwood continues that tradition from its modern facility in the Township of Adelaide Metcalfe in Middlesex County, where innovation and community go hand in hand.

Middlesex County is home to a robust agriculture industry that provides foundational support for the local economy. Van Osch Farms, a family-owned beef cattle and cash crop operation that has been nurturing the land and feeding families since 1954, is one of these foundational agricultural businesses.

To cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit among youth, Invest in Middlesex is thrilled to announce the launch of the 2025 "Pitch Your Plan" youth business competition. This dynamic contest invites students from grades 7-12 to step forward with their innovative business ideas and compete for a chance to turn their dreams into reality. Beginning today, young visionaries are encouraged to submit their groundbreaking business proposals. The competition provides a unique platform for students to showcase their creativity, ingenuity, and strategic thinking. The deadline for submissions is July 4th, 2025, at 11:59 PM.

Middlesex County’s Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) initiative supports local businesses to foster job growth and economic vitality. Through confidential interviews, the program identifies challenges and opportunities to create targeted action plans for job retention, expansion, and an improved business climate. Open to all industries and businesses of every size.

Middlesex County provides a good environment for growing small businesses that strengthen the community and fuel local economic growth. Among them, Baribeau Construction stands out as a multi-generational family business that has been building not just structures, but trust and relationships, for over three decades. Founded in 1987 by Jack Baribeau, this Dorchester-based company has grown into a trusted name in Southwestern Ontario, blending small business values with construction expertise.