Ontario Construction News staff writer
An electrical equipment manufacturer is planning a major expansion in southwestern Ontario, backed in part by provincial funding.
EnerQuest Technologies Solutions Inc. says it will invest nearly $15.8 million to expand its facility in Harrow, in Essex County, and move production of switchgear equipment from the United States to Ontario. The company manufactures prefabricated electrical systems used in sectors such as data centres, modular housing and healthcare.
The project is expected to create 125 jobs while maintaining 154 existing positions, according to the province.
The Ontario government is contributing $1.5 million through the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, part of its broader Regional Development Program.
Company officials say the expansion will allow EnerQuest to bring more of its manufacturing in-house, reducing reliance on a U.S.-based facility. The move also comes as some manufacturers look to limit exposure to cross-border trade risks, including tariffs.
In a statement, EnerQuest director Malena Marshall said local support and access to skilled workers were key factors behind the investment, adding the funding would help the company expand advanced manufacturing capacity.
Provincial officials framed the project as part of a wider effort to strengthen domestic supply chains and support regional economies. However, public funding for private-sector expansion projects has drawn scrutiny in some cases, with critics questioning the long-term return on investment and whether such incentives are necessary for projects companies may undertake regardless.
The Regional Development Program, launched in 2019, provides financial support to businesses and municipalities for expansion and modernization projects. The province says the program has supported billions in private-sector investment and thousands of jobs, though independent analysis of its overall economic impact is limited.
The EnerQuest expansion is one of several recent manufacturing investments in southwestern Ontario, a region that has faced both job gains and losses as companies adjust operations in response to shifting supply chains and global market pressures.
