Swan's new plant announcement greeted with skepticism

CIty councillor and mayoral candidate Joe Swan speaks in London, Ont. on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014. (Bryan Bicknell / CTV London)

A plan to attract millions of dollars in investment and create of hundreds of new jobs would normally be greeted with great fanfare, but an announcement by mayoral candidate Joe Swan is being met with skepticism.

Swan says public lands off Wellington Road South will be the site of a mega greenhouse project, but others say it's far too soon to start celebrating.

According to Swan the project will bring "250 new jobs. They plan to build greenhouses to grow vegetables, then they'll freeze them and ship them around the world. So it's very exciting for London."

He says an unnamed company now operating in Leamington wants to build a $50 million greenhouse and agri-food project - creating 250 new jobs right away.

The proposed 30,000 sq. ft. processing plant would be on 50 acres and Swan says they'll present their plan to the city's Corporate Services Committee on Sept. 23.

"This is a real company with real jobs and they're looking for the partnership of the city."

But according to city staff, the plan is entirely in the concept stage right now and is completely confidential. They say there have been no approvals, let alone applications.

Mayor Joni Baechler says no such file has ever crossed her desk, though former mayor Joe Fontana was involved in the proposal before he stepped down.

"The last I'm aware of it he called a meeting of some people some time ago and there was a concept presented, but there was quite a bit more information that was needed."

In a statement to CTV News the London Economic Development Corporation says it's their understanding city hall is assessing the proposal and "It is premature to comment on any proposal that is yet to be reviewed by council."

Baechler adds "I can guarantee there's no approval for city land. I specifically asked that. I asked realty services if there was an offer for city land and there isn't, so I'm trying to sort through as best you are."

Swan says he's surprised to learn of the mayor's unfamiliarity with the proposal, but he says he's confident the new plant will be up and running in six months.

"The economy and jobs don't stop just because there's a political campaign going on."