2023-11-29 01:54:49
Investments in the battery sector might double in the coming years, to reach $30 billion, revealed the president and CEO of Investissement Québec Guy Leblanc to the business community of Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec. .
“There is still potential for another 10 to 15 billion over the next few years. There will be part of it in Bécancour,” declared Mr. Leblanc.
If $11 billion in investments are already confirmed, $4 billion should be confirmed over the coming months, notably with Nouveau Monde Graphite which has already reserved its land and Nemaska Lithium, whose construction of the factory is advanced.
Full room of 240 people
In a speech to members of five chambers of commerce in Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec, Mr. LeBlanc came to extend his hand to them so that they might be part of the equation. He considers it important “to reassure the chambers of commerce and entrepreneurs who were numerous at the meeting this morning, to talk regarding how we can maximize the benefits for local businesses.”
Investissement Québec wishes to facilitate networking with SMEs in the region, in particular with its guide for suppliers available on its website. “Clearly, with the statistics we have seen, regional businesses are still in quite a bit of demand,” explained the president and CEO of the Bécancour Industrial and Port Park Company Donald Olivier. “For Ultium-Cam, Pomerleau manages the site, and he already arrived with statistics of 45% regional impact.”
While 2,500 to 3,000 direct jobs will be created in Bécancour, local entrepreneurs say they are reassured by the steps taken to attract workers, in order to avoid worsening the labor shortage. “Of course it was worrying, but I think it was intelligent work that was done on their part,” shared Pascal Desrochers, owner of Soudex Métal, following Mr. The White.
In addition to the steps taken with educational institutions in the region, discussions are underway to install a training center directly in the industrial park.
“With more continuing training, more initial training, more attractive programs, because these are often programs that are not the most attractive for young people,” explained Mia Homsy, vice-president of workforce and economic intelligence for Investissement Québec. If we wonder what the profiles are, they are a lot of machine operators, engineers, technicians to do maintenance, a lot of them in industrial, chemical, electrical processes. So it takes programs that are adapted and it takes a lot of people who want to work there.”
There is still land and megawatts available in the Bécancour industrial park to accommodate other players, for example the Euro Manganèse company, specializing in battery materials. “We say smaller scale, but it’s still a few hundred million. There are other files like that which will complement the sector that is currently in place,” explained Donald Olivier.
The member for Nicolet-Bécancour promises new announcements starting next March. “I expect there to be two or three announcements in the next year.”
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