Nearly a year after the Heinz closure announcement in Leamington, the federal government is spending $200,000 in the area to deal with the affects of losing the plant.
Brian Payne with the Windsor-Essex Economic Development Corporations says it allows them to expand their agribusiness plan, to not only attract new businesses, but protect what's still here. "We're able to put plans together and start meeting with everyone who sat on the (Heinz) supply chain; be it the farmer, the grower, the guy who supplied the cans, the trucking companies, the maintenance people. We're able to really help them diversify their business -- look at their business plans."
This money is being added to funds that have already come from the provincial government.
Payne says it is being used to hire consultants, run seminars, and provide one-on-one coaching for local businesses to make sure they survive.
