Four greenhouse operations in Essex County have already expanded in the U.S. and Mexico due to the lack of power in the region.
A new Hydro One transmission line isn't expected to be functional until the summer of 2018, which will help alleviate some pressure.
(Map courtesy Hydro One)
Red Sun Farms greenhouse in Kingsville was forced to build a 20-acre operation in Ohio due to the lack of power here. The company has a facility in Essex County with lights they can't even turn on.
"They're trying to move to year-round production, which will save them importing tomatoes, cucumbers for four months," says Essex County Warden Tom Bain.
He's frustrated and says if this continues it will be devastating to the region's economy.
"It's certainly going to be harmful in that you lose all those jobs," says Bain, adding the economy is also suffering because produce is being imported to fill local contracts.
Adding to his concern, Bain says capacity from the new transmission line is already spoken for, meaning it won't help with future growth.
Bain says the region needs to be more aggressive in lobbying for the completion of this project.
"We need power sooner and we need, actually, more power," says Bain. "It is costing us really, on a month basis we [could] lose two to three businesses."
