Community Events

Windsor's Jobless Rate Drops to 7.7% - Portrait of Jeff Holmes, 26, who is one of 1,200 new hires at the FCA Windsor Assembly Plant. Holmes is pictured outside of the plant on March 11, 2016. Jeff Holmes has been an employee at Windsor Assembly since September but he already has between 700 and 800 people below him on the seniority list. Among 1,200 new hires at FCA Canada’s minivan plant, Holmes, 26, feels secure enough in his job to move out of his parents’ house and buy a new car, preferably a Jeep model. “The future is exciting,” said Holmes. “I’ve been looking to buy a new home for two years, and now that I have seniority I feel safe and secure.” He can also count himself among the workers who are contributing to a significant drop in the Windsor-area’s unemployment rate. The local jobless rate fell from 9.3 per cent in January to  7.7 per cent last month, according to Statistics Canada. The national jobless rate rose to 7.3 per cent in February as Canada lost 2,300 jobs, while Ontario’s rate edged…

Newcomers buying into Kingsville for its 'quality … - KINGSVILLE — When he’s not serving cappuccino and his celebrated soups, Frank Merlihan is chatting up customers at Merli’s, his popular Main Street eatery. Unlike most Kingsville residents who can trace their roots in the town to the United Empire Loyalists, Merlihan is a self-described “transplant.” The former sales rep moved here from the Toronto suburb of Richmond Hill a decade ago, bought a commercial building downtown as an investment, then, three years ago, opened a restaurant in it. He estimates about 100 regular customers are big city emigrees like himself. “I love this place,” he says of the town he now calls home. Kingsville is basking in a renaissance that hearkens back to the late 1800s when American industrialist Hiram Walker discovered the town and built a grand waterfront hotel called the Mettawas. When Walker built a railway into town, he transformed the tiny lakefront community into a bustling summer tourist destination he touted as “away from the madding…

FCA to hire 1,200 at Windsor assembly plant, doubl… - Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ $3.7 billion investment in extensive upgrades at the Windsor Assembly Plant as well as the new minivan program has created an additional 1,200 jobs at the facility, FCA CEO Reid Bigland said Thursday. The additional hiring brings to about 6,000 the total number of people employed at the Windsor plant and more than 11,000 at FCA’s Canadian operations, Bigland said as he unveiled the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto. Citing the one-to-nine assembly job spinoff ratio, Bigland said FCA’s Canadian manufacturing footprint translates into about 100,000 jobs across the country.  “I’m very proud to know that almost 100,000 Canadians are dependent upon our organization for their livelihood,” he said. Bigland said the additional hiring began about nine months ago amid the company’s plans to not only build the new minivan and its plug-in hybrid version, but continue production of the lower-priced Dodge Grand Caravan. …

Windsor Real Estate Market Reaches Record High - The number of Real Estate Transactions on the Windsor and Essex County MLS reached a record for year to date numbers in November 2015. The previous high was in 2004. This is a clear indication consumer confidence has returned to the area. The number of sales increased 18.65%, with average home prices increasing 4.6%. The increase in demand has created even more pressures on inventory. Despite an increase in the number of homes brought on the market this year, the increased demand was greater, which resulted in even less homes actively on the market.  Inventory of available homes dropped almost 20% year over year. The Sales Listing Ratio increased to 68% from 60% the previous year, indicating we are in a strong sellers market.  Multiple offers for properly priced homes continues to be the norm. Now more than ever it is beneficial to have a realtor, whihc ensures your home is properly exposed to the market and is able to take advantage of this market. Click here for more info

Employment Sector Ideas for Windsor Essex - Should Windsor focus on the Energy Sector as a new Employment Sector?

Workforce Windsor Essex Pilots New Job Program - Workforce Windsor Essex is developing a new Job Program that aims to keep people in the area. The concept is to identify available jobs from current industries and try to get local people to fill these jobs.    Despite a strong auto sector, major infrastructure spending and a strong housing market, The City of Windsor is currently still struggling with the highest unemployment rate in Canada.   While actual statistics are not available, many  feel that a lot of the availalble jobs in our area are not being filled by local people, thus the unemployment rate has remined high. Whether it is a lack of skill sets from local workers or other reasons is unclear. This program aims at trying to fill jobs locally, from within the region. This is an 18 month pilot project partially funded by the Ontario Government.  A Local Employment Planning Council will be formed and administered by Workforce Windsor Essex. Workforce Windsor Essex's Employment Planning Council will  “act as a…

Christmas Tours Return to Willistead Manor - Christmas returns to Willistead Manor again this year. For several years now, the Friends of Willistead, area designers, members of the Willistead Manor Board of Directors, St. Clair College’s Interior Design students, and many volunteers work to bring the magic of the holidays to Windsor’s historic gem. From the Great Hall on the main floor to the private Dressing Chamber on the second level, each room is given its very own theme and holiday makeover. Tours take place every Wednesday from 7pm to 9pm and on Sundays from 1pm to 4pm. Ticket are $5.75 for adults, $4.75 for students and seniors and $2.25 for children 12 and under. SOURCE

Santa Claus Parade in Amherstburg - Santa Claus parade set for Saturday in Amherstburg Bring on the marching bands, the floats and the dancing reindeer — it’s time for the annual Amherstburg Santa Claus Parade. The Windsor Parade Corporation has been busy putting together the holiday highlight, which begins Saturday, Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. Enjoy old favourites and new surprises including marching bands from the United States, dazzling floats and of course, the featured guest, Santa Claus. The parade starts at William and Sandwich streets in the north end of town, travels south to Richmond Street where it heads towards Dalhousie Street, ending up at Toddy Jones Park. Our very own Norm Mickle will be marching with our Buckingham banner in front of the Gingerbread House that he has sponsored this year. Brandon Mickle, Billy,Eric, Adriana Risha, Colin Risha and Madison Olsen-Mickle will be there handing out candy and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.  Fun night for his greatest supporters. Don’t forget to visit the park’s…