Happy New Year! 2024 closed out the year with some great announcements and developments in the Windsor-Essex region. See below to read our top highlights from the month of December and year in review. Visit our website for an overview of this month’s automobility stories.
Battery Boost technical training program launched in Windsor-Essex
Invest WindsorEssex’s Battery Boost program, with delivery support from NextStar Energy, is gearing up to provide innovative technical training opportunities to equip participants for careers in electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing. The program is made possible by Upskill Canada, powered by Palette Skills, and funded through the Government of Canada, offering opportunities to workers seeking new employment or a career shift. Through the use of Virtual Reality (VR) and advanced training simulators, participants gain hands-on, practical experience to ensure job readiness. The program will run from February 2025 to March 2026 and will provide training to over 400 participants, which will take place at Invest WindsorEssex’s Automobility and Innovation Centre.
Joe Goncalves, interim CEO at Invest WindsorEssex, says the program exemplifies the innovation and transformative potential the industry has.
“By combining cutting-edge VR training technology with tailored industry expertise, we are equipping Windsor-Essex workers with the skills they need to thrive in the growing battery manufacturing sector.” READ MORE
Canada announces e-Auto Challenge program
The federal government has launched a new e-Auto Challenge program, opening in mid-2025 to accelerate the transition from combustion to electric vehicles by funding auto industry’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The program will operate under the National Research Council Canada (NRC). This will help jumpstart and directly support research and development innovation in Canada’s light-duty electric vehicle supplier ecosystem. READ MORE
Automobility highlights of 2024
Invest WindsorEssex continues to help play a pivotal role in promoting the region through our talent attraction strategy, highlighting all the great benefits and opportunities Windsor-Essex has to offer. Our collaboration in the automotive and mobility sectors (EV ecosystem) continues to support and drive economic development in the region as the province works towards building a future with efficient, clean and sustainable transportation. Alongside our partners and local businesses, we continue to support our local economy through continuous engagement, working closely to identify challenges and opportunities for growth and expansion. Invest WindsorEssex continues to work in tandem with our municipalities by supporting local business growth and attracting investment, driving revitalization success that will have a positive, long-lasting impact on the economy.
Throughout 2024, Windsor-Essex experienced a series of significant milestones, investments and initiatives, each contributing to the region’s resurgence and economic revitalization.
1st Quarter: The year started with Project Arrow being recognized as the 2024 BIG Innovation Award recipient! Invest WindsorEssex (IWE) is proud to be the official eXtended Reality Partner having brought the virtual design to life using our Virtual Reality (VR) CAVE.
A series of events and initiatives launched supporting Windsor-Essex as a growing electric vehicle (EV) hub in Canada’s ecosystem. Our team participated in the Canadian International AutoShow, EV Innovation & Technology Conference and CES 2024 — world-class events showcasing innovative AI-integrated and transformative technologies.
IWE’s Jessica McCarthy, talent attraction specialist, hosted a booth at DiscoveryX 2024 and attended several career fairs and conferences from Nova Scotia to Alberta to discuss career opportunities in the Windsor-Essex region. The timing is pivotal, as Stellantis announced the start of production to begin this summer on the world’s first all-electric muscle car at its Windsor Assembly Plant.
2nd Quarter: While the Canadian automotive market continued to shift towards electrification, our team, along with partners, delivered a series of workshops on Exploring Opportunities in the EV Supply Chain in Windsor and Hamilton that support manufacturing companies to help drive the ecosystem.
This past year’s federal budget also introduced a new 10% Electric Vehicle Supply Chain Investment Tax Credit designed to support Canada’s EV supply chain as Windsor-Essex continues to lead in electric vehicle (EV) innovation and new advancements. This includes IWE’s business, retention and expansion client StoreDot’s Extreme Fast Charging (XFC) technology, demonstrated in collaboration with local client
Flex-N-Gate.
The Ontario government announced the largest battery storage procurement in Canadian history, supporting the growing demand for electricity. The province also saw significant investments, such as Telus’ $5 million infrastructure upgrades in Windsor and Honda Motor Co.’s $15-billion investment in EV battery manufacturing in Ontario, creating significant economic spinoff benefits for Windsor-Essex.
3rd Quarter: The Government of Ontario welcomed the start of construction by Enbridge Gas on its $358-million Panhandle Regional Expansion Project. This critical project will increase access to reliable and affordable energy for all current and future businesses, including meeting the needs of our region’s world-class greenhouses and growing industries.
IWE hosted the Windsor-Essex Career Fair along with partners to connect job seekers with over 30-regional employers, including NextStar Energy, as it launched production at its new $6-billion EV Windsor battery plant. Over $100 million in investments have followed, stimulating the EV supply chain.
The City of Windsor plans to expand its electric vehicle charging infrastructure by adding new charging stations along the riverfront and improving its public transit system with upgrades and a more extensive fleet to transition to standard hybrid-electric buses.
It was a monumental moment as the Canadian and American ironworkers shook hands, marking the completion of the Gordie Howe International Bridge deck— now an official international crossing uniting our two great countries, which will join the Trans Canada Trail network.
4th Quarter: The Conference Board of Canada forecasts WindsorEssex’s GDP growth in 2025 to be the second highest in Canada. This positive momentum is driven by key contributors like NextStar Energy, which opened its battery module plant and its network of suppliers.
Several developments are underway, such as the new University of Windsor’s ‘mechatronic’ program to launch in the fall of 2025 and an incubator program by Mercedes-Benz.
Invest WindsorEssex hosted the Emerging Technologies in Automation Conference and Trade Show: Transformation Through Automation to experience the latest developments in Industry 4.0.
$3.8 million in funding was announced to launch the Battery Boost: Technical Training for Battery Manufacturing Careers program to provide innovative technical training opportunities to equip participants for careers in electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing.
Electrification is the future and on the rise in Windsor-Essex as Invest WindsorEssex, together with community partners, continue to drive initiatives that support and ensure companies have the talent they need to build a skilled workforce, and individuals have the opportunity to contribute to the region’s growing economy.