Wind farm in chathem kent

Focus on jobs, says chamber; Welcoming Wind farms, but adds community needs more good-paying jobs
Posted By BOB BOUGHNER
Posted 36 mins ago
A proposed $300 million wind energy industry is a plus for Chatham-Kent, but won't create the thousands of good-paying jobs the municipality badly needs, says Brent DeNure.
DeNure, newly-elected president of the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce, is calling on Mayor Randy Hope and council to step up efforts to attract new manufacturing and processing industries to the area.
His remarks were contained in a speech scheduled to be delivered Tuesday night. It was postponed due to time limitations, but The Daily News received a copy.
"Wind farms are a definite plus for the municipality and show we are open for business,'' DeNure said. "The project also demonstrates that we are an eco-friendly community.''
He said the reality, however, is that the investment in the wind industry will not create a large number of good-paying jobs.
"And as great as it might seem for the municipality, I hope the wind project does not discourage other developments that might be on the horizon,'' he said.