NextStar Energy Production Begins on New Battery Pack Line

The strategic move strengthens Canada’s position in the global battery supply chain

NextStar Energy has announced the start of production on its new battery pack manufacturing line at its facility in Windsor, Ontario. The expansion adds a third production stage to the site’s existing cell and module operations, enabling full vertical integration from battery cell to finished pack.

The investment responds to growing global demand for energy storage systems (ESS) and allows NextStar Energy to broaden its product portfolio while strengthening its position in the North American battery supply chain.

“Adding pack production means we can now take a battery from cell to module or to a finished pack, all here in Windsor,” said Danies Lee, Chief Executive Officer of NextStar Energy. “This expansion reflects our commitment to capitalizing on the rapid growth of the ESS market and is a meaningful step to strengthen Canada’s position in the global battery supply chain as well.”

NextStar Energy, now a wholly owned subsidiary of LG Energy Solution, recently celebrated its grand opening as Canada’s first and only commercial-scale battery manufacturing facility. The company began commercial cell production in November 2025 and reached the milestone of producing one million cells in February.

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Ontario Launches Fortress North America Plan

Premier visited Washington to argue for increased co-operation across North America and for a stronger CUSMA trade agreement

Today, Premier Doug Ford is concluding a mission to Washington, D.C. after unveiling Ontario’s renewed plan for Building Fortress North America by reaching a fair free trade agreement that will create more jobs, lower costs and strengthen North American security. Over two days, Premier Ford is leading an Ontario delegation that is meeting with United States senators and members of Congress, as well as business executives from critical industries including the automotive, aerospace and agricultural sectors.

“Ontario is a vital partner in the continental trading relationships that benefit workers in Canada, the United States and Mexico,” said Premier Ford. “Our Fortress North America plan provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Canada, the United States and Mexico to build on this co-operation, secure North America, create jobs and deliver real results for workers and families.”

During the mission, Premier Ford highlighted how the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) has resulted in years of economic prosperity for the three signatory countries, and how it remains in the best interests of U.S. businesses and consumers to move forward together under a renewed trade deal that unlocks the full potential of Fortress North America.

By increasing collaboration through Fortress North America, Canada, the United States and Mexico can stimulate billions of dollars in new investment, create jobs, lower the cost of living for North American families and restrict the flow of unfair imports from overseas. Fortress North America will also strengthen national security across the continent by building secure and resilient supply chains for critical minerals, nuclear energy, defence production and advanced technologies.

“For generations, Canada, the United States and Mexico have worked together as trusted economic partners, supporting the growth of critical industries and integrated cross-border supply chains,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Ontario’s Fortress North America plan reflects our government’s continued commitment to strengthening this trilateral trade agreement and ensuring families on both sides of the border stand to benefit from the certainty and stability it offers.”

The Ontario government will continue to support a trilateral agreement that offers certainty and stability to investors, keeps shared North American prosperity moving, while at the same time making our continent the most economically competitive market in the world.

Quick Facts

• Since CUSMA came into force in 2020, U.S. goods exports to Canada have increased by over 36 per cent.
• In 2025 alone, over $1.2 trillion in goods and services moved between the U.S. and Canada, more than $3.3 billion per day.
• In 2025, the province of Ontario ranked as the top export destination for merchandise trade for 11 U.S. states, and the second largest export destination for merchandise trade for 15 additional states.
• The U.S. exports more goods to Canada than it does to China, the United Kingdom and Germany combined. Canada is also America’s largest export market for American-made vehicles, buying more annually than Mexico and all of South America combined.
• U.S. exports of goods and services to Canada support 1.8 million American jobs.

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Ontario Investing $5 Million to Help Small Businesses Adopt Digital Technologies

New investment will help nearly 450 businesses increase sales and revenue while creating good-paying jobs

The Ontario government is supporting small and medium-sized businesses with an additional $5 million to expand the Digital Competence Centre (DCC). This provincewide initiative is delivered in partnership with the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) to help nearly 450 businesses adopt digital tools, modernize operations and improve productivity so that they can continue to grow, create good-paying jobs and stay competitive.

“Our government is making targeted investments to help small businesses succeed in a rapidly evolving digital economy. By expanding the Digital Competence Centre, we are giving Ontario entrepreneurs the tools, resources and expertise they need to compete and succeed in today’s increasingly competitive marketplace.” – Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business.

Ontario businesses can access hands-on support and funding through the DCC’s Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan (DMAP), which provides a matched grant of up to $15,000 that helps businesses plan for technology investments. Companies that have completed a DMAP project are eligible for additional funding through the Technology Demonstration Program, which includes a grant of up to $50,000 to match private investment in purchasing and installing new technologies that support business growth and create jobs.

Through the DCC’s Retail Modernization Project Grant, eligible small retailers with 50 or fewer employees can also receive a matched grant of up to $5,000 to adopt technologies such as point-of-sale systems, online payments, inventory management software, customer relationship management solutions, cybersecurity supports and artificial intelligence tools.

Since its launch in 2022, the DCC has provided more than 800 grants to Ontario businesses that are expected to generate up to $600 million in increased sales revenue and support approximately 3,000 new and existing jobs. Participating companies also saw an average cost savings of 23 per cent and an average of 192 hours of labour saved per month, helping improve productivity and operational efficiency.

“The Digital Competence Centre is helping Ontario businesses turn digital adoption into measurable economic growth,” said Dr. Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO, OCI. “Through investments in modernization, automation, AI adoption, and digital transformation, Ontario companies are improving productivity, increasing revenues, creating jobs and strengthening their long-term competitiveness. OCI is proud to continue delivering programming that helps businesses across the province scale, innovate and succeed.”

As part of the 2026 Ontario Budget, the government announced an additional $5 million investment that builds on the $20 million invested in the program to date. This is part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by making the province one of the most competitive places to invest and do business in the G7, while building a more resilient and self-reliant economy.

Quick Facts

• Included in the 2026 Ontario Budget, the government is cutting the small business corporate income tax rate by 31.25 per cent, from 3.2 per cent to 2.2 per cent, effective July 1st 2026.
• This tax cut would support more than 375,000 small businesses, delivering $1.1 billion in additional tax relief over three years, with qualifying businesses saving up to $5,000 annually.

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Windsor-Essex Celebrates Economic Development Week 2026

Invest WindsorEssex unites regional partners to showcase local businesses, collaboration and economic impact

Invest WindsorEssex (IWE) and the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre (SBEC), in collaboration with the Town of Amherstburg, Town of Essex, Town of Kingsville, Municipality of Lakeshore, Town of LaSalle, Municipality of Leamington, Town of Tecumseh, Township of Pelee and the City of Windsor are proud to recognize Economic Development Week (EDW) 2026 taking place May 4 to 8.

Throughout the week, economic development professionals from across Windsor-Essex will visit and
engage with local businesses to celebrate their contributions to the region’s economy and highlight the
programs and services that support business growth, job creation and community prosperity.

Created in 2016 by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), Economic Development
Week is an international initiative designed to raise awareness of the critical role economic development plays in building strong, vibrant communities. The campaign highlights local efforts that create jobs, advance career development opportunities and improve quality of life.

“Economic Development Week is an opportunity to recognize the people, businesses, partnerships, and significant investments that are driving growth today while positioning our region for decades to come. That success is built on strong collaboration between municipalities, organizations, and the business community. As we continue focusing on Windsor’s long game in the face of global economicun certainties, our region continues to see transformative investment and opportunity. Through local initiatives like Housing Solutions Made for Windsor, Strengthen the Core, and the strategic development of Sandwich South, we are further laying the foundation for sustained and responsible growth. What we’re seeing across Windsor-Essex is the result of deliberate collaboration between municipalities, industry, education, upper levels of government, and a highly skilled workforce. From advanced manufacturing and automobility, to small business growth and entrepreneurship, by working together, investing responsibly, and standing in lockstep to navigate the challenges and leverage every opportunity in front of us, we are creating and sustaining the conditions for long-term prosperity and a high quality of life for our residents. As we celebrate this week, we recognize the leadership and the strength of our region-wide approach to economic development, which continues to position Windsor-Essex as one of the most dynamic and resilient economic communities in the country.” – Drew Dilkens, Mayor, City of Windsor

This year’s regional campaign will focus on showcasing businesses across Windsor-Essex, highlighting success stories and demonstrating the impact of a collaborative, region-wide approach to economic development. Through coordinated outreach, partners will promote available resources, celebrate local achievements and reinforce Windsor-Essex as a competitive and growing place to do business.

A social media campaign will accompany these efforts, featuring local businesses, economic development partners, municipal initiatives and programs that support entrepreneurs, investors and employers across the region.

“Invest WindsorEssex is proud to work alongside our municipal partners to deliver a coordinated, region-wide approach to economic development. Economic Development Week is about celebrating the successes of our local businesses and showcasing the impact and strength of our partnerships. Together, we are building a resilient and competitive economy for Windsor-Essex.” – Gordon Orr, Chief Executive Officer, Invest WindsorEssex

Invest WindsorEssex is the lead economic development agency for the Windsor-Essex region. The focus
of the organization is to develop and execute strategies to retain, expand, attract and help new businesses start-up in Windsor-Essex. Invest WindsorEssex is led by a board of distinguished community leaders. A team of professional staff will assist you with all your location and investment decisions by working one-on-one with businesses, to facilitate the process of starting, growing or locating in Windsor-Essex.

Economic Development Week is an event created by the International Economic Development Council
(IEDC) to celebrate economic development among communities around the world. The event will occur
from May 4-8, 2026.

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit membership organization
serving economic developers. With more than 4,300 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its
kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities, by
creating, retaining and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth and provide a stable tax
base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IDCs members are engaged in the
full range of economic development experience. Given the breadth of economic development work, our
members are employed in a wide variety of settings including local, state, provincial and federal
governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities and a variety of other
institutions. IEDC’s members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities and improve the
quality of life in their regions.

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LEAMINGTON BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS RECOGNIZE EXCELLENCE IN OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY!

Do you know a business or individual who goes above and beyond – someone who leads with integrity, drives innovation, and shows unwavering commitment to success? Now’s your chance to recognize their impact. Nominations are open for the Leamington Business Excellence Awards, celebrating those who help shape our thriving business community.

It only takes a few moments to submit a nomination, but the recognition lasts far longer.

After you have nominated, the nominee will fill out an online questionnaire that will go to the judges.

Let’s come together to shine a spotlight on those who truly deserve it. Nominate today and help us celebrate excellence!

NOMINATE NOW!

Leamington Chamber Business Excellence Awards nominations will remain open until May 31, 2026.

We encourage you to participate in recognizing outstanding contributions within our business community.

Want to put your brand in front of the region’s top professionals and decision-makers? Sponsoring the Business Excellence Awards offers exceptional visibility and a chance to align with excellence in our business community.

From event recognition to promotional features, sponsorship comes with real value.

Contact the Leamington Chamber to learn more about how your organization can get involved.

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