We are thrilled to share with you the most recent announcements and developments in the Windsor-Essex region for the month of January. See below to read our top highlights.
NEO Battery to open $69-million plant in Windsor

NEO Battery Materials Ltd., a leading Ontario-based company specializing in low-cost, high-capacity silicon-anode materials for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles, has announced a $69-million investment. The company plans to locate its 87,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Windsor on surplus land next to the Windsor International Airport. Beyond site selection, Invest WindsorEssex facilitated connections for Neo Battery with the City of Windsor, University of Windsor and various levels of government, providing access to incentive programs and paving the way for regional partnerships. Once operational, NEO Battery aims to create over 100 jobs to boost the economy with future expansion plans over the next eight years, totalling approximately $120 million in investments. The decision to establish a manufacturing facility in Windsor will not only create future employment opportunities but will also strengthen the regional EV supply chain, aligning with sustainability goals.
“We are thrilled to welcome NEO Battery Materials to Windsor-Essex, a testament to our region’s strategic location and prominence as a global leader in next-generation vehicle production and battery manufacturing. We are proud to support NEO Battery Materials in establishing their innovative operations here and look forward to their continued growth and impact in our community.” — Joe Goncalves, Vice President Investment Attraction & Strategic Initiatives, Invest WindsorEssex
UWindsor researcher looks to make Canada a leader in microchips

Dr. Jalal Ahamed, a researcher at the University of Windsor is spearheading a project in partnership with Stathera Inc. that aims to position Canada as a leader in timing-chip technology. This partnership will focus on developing an ultra-precise resonating oscillator to provide the stable reference frequency, key to the operation of modern computer chips. The chips make electronic devices tick – found in everything from cars to phones, computers and smart home devices. This million-dollar project aims to enhance existing technology, making it more cost-effective, while developing state-of-the-art timing devices to position Canada as a leading technological player. READ MORE
Hydro One completes $237-million power line to Essex County

The Government of Ontario and Hydro One are celebrating the completion of construction on the Chatham to Lakeshore transmission line one year ahead of schedule. This new investment, valued at an estimated $237 million, will increase the reliability and resiliency of the grid and bring 400 megawatts (MW) of clean and affordable electricity to the Windsor-Essex region. With rising electricity demand, it is expected to more than double over the next 20 years, driven by agricultural and industrial growth. This project will help meet the growing electricity demands and supply the necessary energy for growing industries, including the new NextStar Energy battery plant in Windsor. READ MORE
LG Energy Solution rated world’s most sustainable battery manufacturer

LG Energy Solution, the parent company of Windsor’s NextStar Energy battery plant, has been named the most sustainable battery manufacturer in the world, ranking 12th among all the world’s corporations. This is the first time LG Energy Solution has made Corporate Knights’ prestigious World Top 100 Sustainable Corporations list, compiled from a ranking system of 8,359 corporations with revenues of $1 billion or more. Through 25 key performance indicators, the corporations’ sustainability practices were ranked in sustainable revenue and sustainable investment, earning the highest scores in both categories. READ MORE