Windsor seeking more contributions from Essex County on new EV battery plant

The City of Windsor wants to see Essex County boost its contribution to the newly announced $4.9-billion electric vehicle battery plant, but warden Gary McNamara says the county is already making a large contribution through road work.

The plant was formally announced on Wednesday. It's a joint venture by Stellantis and LG Energy Solution, with incentives coming from the federal, provincial and municipal governments. It will be located on the Windsor side of the Windsor-Tecumseh boundary near Windsor International Airport.

The City of Windsor is contributing a land assembly deal, money for infrastructure development if required and a long-term tax grant for the plant, which is expected to create 2,500 jobs.

The city is also buying land for the site for about $45 million, which will be leased to the plant's owners.

Windsor CAO Jason Reynar said he'd like to see more support for the project from Essex County.

"I think there are a number of different options ... from partnering with us to provide the land and acquire the land, to infrastructure improvements," he said. "And then also ... hand-in-hand, going to the province and the feds to say 'I really need some more support on those large infrastructure transportation corridor pieces.'"

McNamara said the county is spending millions of dollars on road work in the area, including expanding Banwell Road, which will be critical given the increased traffic that will be using the road due to the plant.

Banwell Road runs along the east side of the property that will house the plant, and the road, McNamara said, currently accommodates "very little traffic."

"That's the issue, we recognize that," he said.

The county has been buying up properties in order to expand Banwell over the last three or four years, he said.

McNamara said the final designs for the expansion have been completed. It will include expanding the road from two lanes to four, and adding lighting and turning lanes. A realignment of County Roads 42 and 43 is also taking place, he said.

However, the portion of Banwell Road where the plant will be located is owned by Windsor, McNamara said.

Still, the portion of the road owned by Essex County is still critical to the plant's operation, he said, as it will help with traffic. The expansion work should be complete by the time the plant opens in 2024.

Reynar agreed the expansion is a significant contribution.