The contemplated logistics facility would support a variety of food and beverage producers within the Hamilton region, and foster stronger export connections to the U.S. consumer market. Such a facility could offer food-grade warehousing, packing and shipping options, along with other services, while taking advantage of the Port’s location and transportation connections.
The study will explore the possibility of providing on-site customs functions like Canadian Food Inspection Agency inspections and USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) pre-clearance. It will also look at the market for potential operators and users of such a facility, and spin-off business opportunities for Hamilton-area food manufacturers and processors.
Norm Schleehahn, Manager of Business Development for the City of Hamilton’s Economic Development Division states that “the agri-food cluster remains a vital component of the City’s economic base. Partnering with the Hamilton Port Authority, exploring options to expand infrastructure to support the sector, is a welcome opportunity”.
“This project is an example of the alignment of vision and spirit of cooperation between the Port and the City,” said Ian Hamilton, HPA’s Vice President of Business Development & Real Estate. “We share the goal of developing Hamilton’s agri-food cluster and building food sector logistics capacity. We’re working together to improve the competitive landscape for Hamilton businesses.”
Agri-food has grown into a $1 billion industry in Hamilton, with HPA being one of the key engines of this growth. More than $200 million in agri-food sector investment has been attracted to the Port of Hamilton in recent years, including a new G3 Canada Ltd. grain terminal, Parrish & Heimbecker flour mill, and the Nickel Brook/Collective Arts brewery.
Hamilton is ideally located for food sector importers and exporters, located 45 minutes from the U.S. border and within a day’s drive of 100 million North American consumers.
This project is funded in part through Growing Forward 2 (GF2), a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. The Agricultural Adaptation Council assists in the delivery of GF2 in Ontario.