$7.3 million investment in Windsor aims to bolster tariff-impacted workers and businesses

The provincial government was in Windsor Wednesday, offering financial help for businesses dealing with tariff pressures. CTV Windsor’s Robert Lothian reports.

The Ontario government is supporting companies and workers that have been impacted by U.S. tariffs with a $7.3-million investment in Windsor.

The funding is through the Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) and aims to increase resilience, build capacity and re-shore critical supply chains to Ontario.

Government officials say Wednesday’s announcement builds on the ongoing deployment of the OTTF program, with the eight recipient companies’ projects amounting to nearly $44 million in near-term investments that will create over 65 new jobs, and protect 692 more across Windsor and the surrounding region.

“As Canada’s largest bordering city to the United States, Windsor’s manufacturers have been disproportionately impacted by tariffs, which is why our government introduced strategic measures to drive forward their economic resilience,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

“Through the Ontario Together Trade Fund, we will ensure Ontario’s workers and businesses have the tools they need to adapt in the face of external pressures, protect jobs and enhance their long-term competitiveness.”

The money was first announced as part of the 2025 Ontario Budget. The OTTF program is part of the province’s nearly $30 billion tariff relief and support plan to protect Ontario’s workers and businesses.

The program focuses on small and medium-sized enterprises and expects to help businesses across a diverse range of sectors make the necessary investments to strengthen operations in Ontario, expand market reach and protect workers.

The latest cohort of fund recipients includes:

• Canadian Electrocoating Ltd., an auto parts manufacturing firm specializing in metal stamping and electro-coating for complex fabricated parts and sheet metal, including for Ford Canada.

• Central Stampings Ltd., an auto parts manufacturer that supplies stamping and welding services directly to major auto manufacturers, including General Motors and Stellantis.

• Dimachem Inc., a manufacturing company that formulates, blends, and packages industrial and commercial chemical products.

• Jahn Engineering Ltd., a designer and builder of tools, metal stamping dies, and automated assembly equipment for the automotive, nuclear, and aerospace sectors.

• Kringer Industrial, an engineering company that produces protective materials and packaging solutions for the cargo industry.

• NextGen Mold Technologies Windsor Inc., a manufacturer of plastic injection and compression molds.

• Reko International Group Inc., a technology-driven automation and machining company that manufactures large, critical automation parts.

• Stratus Plastics International Inc., a precision automotive injection molding supplier supporting tier-1 and tier-2 original equipment manufacturers.