CORNWALL – Snack food maker Leclerc is setting up a production plant in Cornwall, the City’s economic development department announced Monday.
Leclerc Group President Denis Leclerc says the city offers a strategic North American location. “We look forward to welcoming Cornwall people to our team,” he said.
The company will be setting up in the former Philips Canlyte plant at 525 Education Road – a 160,000 square foot building in the Cornwall Business Park.
Philips Canlyte closed in 2014 putting nearly 200 people out of work.
The new Leclerc production plant is expected to be rolling out cookies and snack bars by spring.
As for tax revenue for the city, Economic Development Manager Bob Peters told Cornwall Newswatch the information isn’t available and will “depend on how Leclerc sets up the facility.”
A large commercial plant could add some significant tax revenue to the commercial sector and take some of the burden off residential ratepayers.
Leclerc has two facilities in Quebec and one in Hawkesbury, Ont.
As for jobs, Leclerc will be part of the upcoming Cornwall Job Fair on Oct. 3 at the Cornwall Civic Complex.
Peters said there is no confirmation on job numbers yet but, since it’s a production facility, the numbers “will be substantial.”