The first of what organizers think will be an annual forum about the economic impact of the Goderich Port took place on Thursday.
The Huron Marine and Economic Forum was held by the Huron Chamber of Commerce this week.
It comes at a time that Goderich's Port Management Corporation is asking the federal government's National Trade Corridors Fund for about $32.5 million to help fund its 11-acre expansion.
Frank Hurkmans, president of the GPMC, said Huron Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Colin Carmichael has been working on this for a while and it's a good time to gather marine shippers and other stakeholders.
"We've been talking about this forum for well over a year now," said Hurkmans. "I think, in hand with the timing of the applications that we've made for two specific projects on expansion at the port, it's the right time to gather professionals here to really ring the bell and start to put pressure and increase on that funding that's required to get it built."
Carmichael said they had marine shippers and stakeholders from all over Ontario attend the forum, which should become an annual fixture.
"It's a really great opportunity to bring folks to Huron County, and show them the Port of Goderich, and show them what the fourth-busiest port in the province looks like," he said. "It does kind of fly under the radar a little bit and part of the idea is to raise the profile. This was our first go at it and it will take another event next year and the year after that and build that reputation for this real ecoomic asset for the county."
Attendees included Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, who spoke about how ports like this are under-used as a resource.
"If you think about it, they can help us live and work more sustainably, they can get trucks off the road," said Tish. "The investment in the port, the expansion of the port, can unlock so much economic opportunity."
Hurkmans said that with the rising costs of construction, the port expansion will now cost around $70 million, meaning they will need to look at all financing streams to help reach their goal.
The port is also looking to cover the already existing agri-dome, a move that Hurkmans said would allow them to hold about 50,000 tonnes of bulk material at a time, or roughly two boatloads.
He did suggest positive updates could be coming when the Carney government releases its budget next month.
"Stand by for some good news I think when the budget comes out November 4," said Hurkmans. "I am fielding calls and having calls with federal and provincial stakeholders that are responsible for funding on a weekly basis, and that typically doesn't happen unless there's good news on the line."
Hurkmans said the expansion would be huge for the economy, opening up the port to new commodities, beyond the usual salt, grain, and stone.
"This additional 11 acres will put us in a whole other ball game where now we can handle significant roll-on/roll-off cargos like a million pound small modular reactors," he said. "It'll help support wind farm industry and replacement parts as those things start to wear. It's going to help bring in component cargo for the additional reactor at Bruce Nuclear if that should take place."
