The Sarnia area's economic prospects are expected to steadily improve according to an Ontario Chamber of Commerce forecast.
The chamber update, released Wednesday, projects a 1.4 per cent jump in employment in 2016 in the Sarnia-Windsor region and another one per cent in 2017.
The Sarnia chamber is optimistic some significant local projects will move forward in the next few years.
The report says investments in new production by manufacturing companies are helping drive economic growth. The $140-million BioAmber succinic acid plant in Sarnia and upgrades at the Plains Midstream plant are cited. Other positive news, not included in the analysis, is also highlighted by the Sarnia-Lambton chamber. Wilsondale Assets Management's recently announced Bayside Mall redevelopment is expected to add up to 1000 construction jobs and the local chamber mentions the prospect of a new Nova Chemicals world scale polyethylene plant possibly being announced soon.
Further gains in the housing sector are also forecast the next two years with Sarnia-Lambton's resale market, this year, poised to go beyond $400-million for the first time ever.
