Windsor's Ground Effects to boost hiring, receives $760K grant from province

A Windsor-based automotive parts company will be expanding its local operations as a result of a strategic grant of more than $760,000 it has received from the provincial government.

Ground Effects Ltd. is poised to hire an additional 31 employees and keep another 250 people employed, over a three-year period, as a result of the grant from the province.

The investment, which was announced in Windsor on Thursday, is coming from the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund. The fund is designed to drive economic development in the region. Its website says that it provides money to businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations for projects that create jobs, attract investment, or help drive innovation.

Ben Dollar, the vice-president of business development at Ground Effects, said the money from the province will help the company get ready to make roof racks for General Motors.

But he said the company has plans to do similar business with other automakers.

"We also have plans to also work with Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Fiat Chrysler, Nissan and perhaps others," he told reporters on Thursday.

The company will be using new equipment to manufacture the products, along with a technique that is new for Ground Effects.

Dollar said the new jobs that Ground Effects will be hiring for are expected to be permanent.

"Thirty-one jobs, at least," Dollar said, noting that figure was "a pretty conservative estimate at this time."

Dipika Damerla, the MPP for Mississauga East-Cooksville, was representing the Ontario government at the announcement in Windsor on Thursday.

"We know that manufacturing is a globalized industry and that competition is intense," Damerla said. "We know the value of building regional economies around this great province of ours."

Damerla said the government wants to support businesses like Ground Effects, which are growing, providing local employment and putting out a competitive product.

She said that provincial government is taking steps to ensure that the manufacturing sectors and others like it continue to thrive in Ontario.