Written By David Gomez, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
MIDDLESEX COUNTY — County councillors received a detailed overview of economic development and tourism activity in Middlesex County during the January 13 council meeting, as staff presented the department’s 2025 Year in Review, outlining growth indicators, investment attraction efforts, and plans for the year ahead.
Warden Susan Clarke introduced the report under county officers’ items before turning the floor over to Director of Economic Development and Tourism Cara Finn.
According to Finn, Middlesex County experienced steady economic growth between 2024 and 2025, with job gains of 4.1% across a wide range of industries. She noted that total employment increased from 33,069 jobs in 2024 to 34,138 in 2025, with all sectors maintaining or increasing employment. The county also recorded a year-over-year increase of 390 businesses.
“This growth is supported by a steadily rising population projected now at 88,000,” Finn said, adding that both traditional and emerging sectors continued to show momentum.
Finn highlighted foreign and domestic investment attraction as a key area of focus in 2025, noting that Middlesex County became a member of the Southwestern Ontario Marketing Alliance (SOMA) in July. She said the partnership builds on existing collaborations such as the Ontario Food Cluster and the Ontario Manufacturing Communities Alliance.
Business investment leads and meetings increased from 228 in 2024 to 338 in 2025, despite the county participating in SOMA for only part of the year. “This overall interest in meeting shows a considerable interest, a strong qualified private sector engagement in making regional investments within the next one to five years,” Finn said.
Among the year’s investment highlights, Finn pointed to Arvaspring Farms’ $8.5 million poultry processing facility in Lucan-Biddulph, supporting 26 jobs, and Nortera’s expansion in Strathroy-Caradoc, which added 100,000 square feet of storage and distribution capacity and supports 274 jobs. She noted that both projects strengthen the county’s agri-food sector and local supply chains.
Council also heard that 23 community improvement projects received county funding in 2025, resulting in more than $2.5 million invested locally. Finn said the return on investment equated to $22.11 invested by partners for every dollar reimbursed by the county.
Tourism initiatives were also outlined, with $25,000 invested through the county’s Tourism Initiative Sponsorship Program to support 18 events. Those events attracted more than 100,000 visitors and generated an estimated $14.5 million in economic impact.
CAO Paul Shipway described 2025 as “a year of transition,” emphasizing the importance of reporting measurable outcomes to council. “It’ll be incumbent upon staff to demonstrate back to council what your investment means in tangible outcomes for our community,” he said.
Councillor Colin Grantham expressed interest in future reporting on industrial investment pipelines, while acknowledging the sensitivity of some information. Staff confirmed that additional reporting, including confidential updates, would be considered.
Council ultimately voted to receive the 2025 Year in Review presentation for information, with Warden Clarke thanking staff for providing context and outlining plans for a forthcoming five-year economic development strategy.
