Guelph mayor pitches city of new vaccine manufacturing facility

Following the Government of Canada’s announcement about reaching an agreement for Moderna, Inc. to build an mRNA vaccine facility in Canada, the City of Guelph is offering a location to the COVID­19 vaccine developer.

“I want to make it super easy for Moderna,” Mayor Cam Guthrie said in a video. “You don’t need to look anywhere else because Guelph is ready for you.”

He highlighted the city’s proximity to five international airports, the Highway 401 corridor, access to rail lines and access to over 3.5 million workers.

“In Guelph we recognize and value the jobs, economic growth and community building that new businesses bring and we’re ready to help Moderna set up their new Canadian facility here, every step of the way,” Guthrie said.

Moderna would join other life science businesses including Johnson & Johnson, Medline and Precision Biomonitoring. Guelph is also home to the University of Guelph, internationally recognized as a centre of excellence in bioscience, with six other top post-secondary institutions in surrounding communities.

“Guelph hits the mark when it comes to providing an environment for research, innovation and the talent Moderna needs to get their Canadian facility up and running,” says Scott Stewart, chief administrative officer for the City of Guelph.

“Businesses who have located here rave about Guelph’s central location, skilled labour pool, and quality of life,” adds Mayor Guthrie. “We offer the best of both worlds: big-city amenities and opportunities with the community spirit and neighbourliness you would only expect to find in a small town—a place where businesses feel at home.”

The mayor says he drives around with a shovel in his car, ready to put it in the ground for any new business in the city.

“Myself and staff are ready to help you, Moderna, put this shovel in the ground,” he said in the video.

“Just a little while ago, not only myself, but thousands of other Guelphites put a little Moderna in themselves. Now it’s time for a little bit of Guelph to be with Moderna.”

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