Investment will create more than 1,000 jobs
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is investing more than $575 million on a project to modernize and expand its plant in Napanee, Ont. in a bid to reach net-zero emissions at the location.
The investment will help Goodyear create an energy-efficient, end-to-end manufacturing process and increase its production capacity, including EV and all-terrain tires, according to the provincial government.
Modernizing the facility will reduce greenhouse gas emissions at Goodyear Canada’s Napanee facility by 10% by 2030 and 100% by 2040.
“Companies from across the world are choosing Canada,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. “Today’s announcement that Goodyear is modernizing its Napanee plant will create manufacturing jobs, grow our EV industry and use modern technology to keep our air clean. It’s another vote of confidence in Canada’s auto sector workers.”
In May, Alberta announced it is investing $50.5 million over the next five years in the Designated Industrial Zone (DIZ) to help build three new water intake facilities.
Ontario is also gaining more jobs through the investment, as the project will create 200 new, highly skilled manufacturing jobs by 2027 and secure more than 1,000 jobs in Napanee.
Goodyear Canada will receive federal funding of up to $44.3 million from the Strategic Innovation Fund for this expansion project. Ontario, through Invest Ontario, will contribute $20 million to support key components of the project, including the implementation of innovative technologies and skills training programs.
“Goodyear Canada’s investment is another significant boost to Ontario’s growing electric vehicle sector, building on the billions of dollars that have been invested in the sector over the past four years,” said Premier Ford. “Across Ontario, we’re seeing major investments and new jobs created as we build out our end-to-end EV supply chain, connecting critical minerals in Northern Ontario to world-class manufacturing across the province. Companies are choosing Ontario because of our transportation infrastructure, our competitive business environment and our skilled workforce.”
Goodyear Canada’s modernized facility in Napanee is also supported by incentives from the Town of Greater Napanee, the Township of Stone Mills and the County of Lennox and Addington, as a result of a newly launched Community Improvement Plan.
“Today’s announcement reinforces our long-term commitment to Canada and enhances our agility and flexibility, positioning Goodyear to meet the evolving needs of our customers now and in the future,” said Mark Stewart, CEO and president, Goodyear. “We are appreciative to the federal, provincial and local governments for their support and to our Napanee associates for their dedication to building the next generation of tires.”
In June, the Ontario government announced an investment of over $6 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) to train more than 1,000 carpenters across the province.
