Port of Windsor Boosts Jobs, Adds $130M to Economy: Study

 

Windsor, Ontario (November 21, 2011)— Cargo shipments to and from the Port of Windsor generate $130.5 million of economic activity and 937 jobs in Ontario, according to a new study released today.

The new analysis is part of a wider study carried out by economic consultants Martin Associates that in October reported that the entire bi-national Great Lakes- St. Lawrence Seaway System and its more than 100 ports generate $34.6 billion of economic activity and 227,000 jobs in Canada and the U.S..

The Port of Windsor statistics, which include cargo carried to and from the port by Canadian, American and international ships, revealed:

• Of the 937 jobs, 506 jobs are directly generated by the marine cargo and vessel activity at the marine terminals at the Port of Windsor.
• As the result of the local and regional purchases by those 506 individuals holding the direct jobs, an additional 224 induced jobs are supported in the regional economy.
• 208 indirect jobs were supported by $24.4 million of regional purchases by businesses supplying services at the marine terminals at the Port of Windsor.
• Combining the direct, induced and indirect income impacts, the cargo handled at the Port of Windsor generated $42.4 million in wages and salaries, and local consumption expenditures in the Great Lakes regional economy.
• A total of $17.6 million of provincial and federal taxes were generated by cargo and vessel activity at the Port of Windsor, with $3.6 million generated at the provincial level and  $14 million generated at the federal level.

 

David Cree, president and CEO of the Windsor Port Authority, said: “This study clearly illustrates the value of having a Port in our city and region. Activity at the Port of Windsor generates significant employment, spending on goods and services, and tax revenue for the local and national economies.  The Port of Windsor also helps to attract and sustain business investment by supporting the operations of major companies like Lafarge Canada, Essroc, ADM Agri-industries and Canadian Salt that depend on cost-efficient waterborne transportation to receive raw materials and to send out goods to their customers.”

For over 20 years, McAsphalt Industries has operated the Windsor Port Authority’s Sterling Marine Fuels dock.  In 2011 that facility’s capabilities were greatly enhanced with the expansion of the existing dock and the development of a new construction aggregate terminal which will be operated by McAsphalt’s sister company, Miller Paving.  The enlarged dock can now handle two vessels simultaneously, allowing cargo to be on-or-off loaded while ships take on fuel.  The facility currently handles approximately 500 ships per year with expectations of that volume increasing to 700 ships during a typical marine season.  The $20 million project was jointly funded by the Federal Government and the operators of the terminal, Miller Paving and McAsphalt Industries.

Cree said:  “The federal government, the Windsor Port Authority and our port users have invested significantly in infrastructure to be able to fully realize the business opportunities that are on the horizon.  Port activity now has the potential to grow significantly in the coming years, which will only generate further benefits for the city and the wider Essex region.”

 

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About the Study

 

The overall study, which uses 2010 data, was carried out by respected economic consultants Martin Associates of Lancaster, Pennsylvania and peer reviewed in Canada by Dr. John Lawson, Research Associate of the University of British Columbia Centre for Transport Studies. The peer review process in Canada was overseen by Transport Canada. The full executive summary and study is available at www.marinedelivers.com.