Ontario Investing $750,000 to Protect Workers in Augusta Township

Provincial funding will protect jobs from U.S. tariffs and support economic growth through the Maitland Chemical Industrial Park feasibility study

MAITLAND — Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes announced today that the Ontario government is protecting tariff-impacted workers and industries in Augusta Township with an investment of $750,000 through the Trade-Impacted Communities Program (TICP).

The funding will support the township’s Maitland Chemical Industrial Park feasibility study, providing a pathway to support existing industries on the site and attract new industrial investment while reducing reliance on U.S. supply chains.

In the face of economic uncertainty, the $40 million TICP initiative is a tactical tool launched by our government last year to protect good-paying jobs and build resilient, self-reliant communities across the province.

“With its prime location, infrastructure, and skilled local workers, the Maitland Chemical Industrial Park is well positioned to attract new investment to grow our economy in Leeds and Grenville. We’re supporting Augusta Township to capitalize on opportunities to create new, good-paying manufacturing jobs on the site,” said MPP Clark. “Through the Trade-Impacted Communities Program, our government is helping local communities protect workers against the impacts of U.S. tariffs today, while building a more resilient, self-reliant, and competitive economy for the future.”

“This announcement of the Trade Impacted Communities Program funding is a lifeline for Augusta Township. It will allow us to do an in-depth feasibility study on the Maitland Chemical Industrial Park to support our existing industry, substantiate our land and facility resources/infrastructure, and provide an ideal location to Canadian and International markets,” said Jeff Shaver, Mayor of Augusta Township. “Attracting new industry, along with our strategic housing plan will bring many opportunities for employment within the region. With the assistance of this program from the Province of Ontario, Augusta Township will now be in a better position to promote our Maitland Chemical Industrial Park to create new trade partnerships, sustainable supply chains and revive our employment sector that has been affected by the U.S. trade disruptions.”

First announced as part of the province’s nearly $30 billion tariff relief and support plan, the TICP is dedicated to projects aimed at strengthening economic resilience and competitiveness across industries and communities disproportionately impacted by global trade disruptions. The program also supports the diversification of supply chains across Ontario’s priority sectors, while increasing export and investment opportunities to reduce reliance on U.S. markets.

“As U.S. tariffs continue to impact key sectors across Ontario, our government is taking decisive action to ensure regional communities have the tools needed to withstand economic pressure and secure new, long-term investments,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Through the Trade-Impacted Communities Program, we are proud to support Augusta Township’s Maitland Chemical Industrial Park feasibility study, which will support local workers and strengthen domestic supply chains, while unlocking new trade and export partnerships.

As Ontario continues to navigate the impacts of U.S. tariffs and global economic uncertainty, the government remains focused on delivering critical funding, cutting red tape, and positioning local economies to be more competitive, resilient, and investment ready across priority sectors.

QUICK FACTS

• The Trade-Impacted Communities Program is part of Ontario’s broader strategy to support tariff-impacted communities, which focuses on ensuring long-term economic stability and growth while reshoring and strengthening supply chains.
• Open to municipal governments, economic development organizations, sector and industry associations, business accelerators, and incubators, TICP funds community-level projects that build economic resilience, diversify supply chains, and foster new trade partnerships in response to U.S. trade disruptions.
• The program works in tandem with the Ontario Together Trade Fund, the Protect Ontario Financing Program and the Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit.