It won’t come in time for the summer barbecue season, but a proposed propane distribution facility is on the books for a site adjacent to the former Glenoit building in Elmira.
Based out of London, Ont., EDPRO is one of the largest propane solutions providers in the province with terminal facilities located in London, Brampton and Stoney Creek.
Construction on the Elmira plant, which will be located at Union Street and Oriole Parkway, is slated to begin on July 1, and the company is currently working on finalizing its long-term leasing and development issues.
“We have not finalized all aspects of the development at this point but we’re looking at moving forward in Elmira with our project,” said Andy Bite, chief development officer with EDPRO.
When completed, the non-retail propane distribution facility will supply residential, agricultural and business customers primarily in the Waterloo-Wellington area.
EDPRO Elmira will concentrate primarily on filling 33-pound cylinders for the forklift market, and filling bulk trucks destined for the residential and agricultural markets.
The company is now finalizing its arrangements with the property landlord, Elmira Industrial Land Inc. When completed, the leased parcel of land will measure roughly two acres, with the actual facility approximately 40 feet by 40 feet (12 by 12 meters). The yard will house two propane storage tanks.
While new to the area, EDPRO already has connections locally, a prospect that bodes well for the company and its clients, said Bite.
“We already have two associate dealers in the area … and we’ll be adding initially four employees,” he explained, noting that EDPRO plans on hiring from within the community. In addition to this, the company intends to increase its staff as business grows. In similar facilities EDPRO has 12 employees or more.
Elmira was a good fit for the company, said Bite, noting that while land values locally were more attractive than those in the Cambridge or Waterloo areas, there were other factors that brought the London company to Elmira.
“We chose Elmira because it’s a strategic fit in that we have locations in Brampton and London, so we’ve developed a business space already around Elmira.
“This is an excellent point to service Waterloo, Wellington, the tri-county area,” he explained.
Elmira was also appealing because propane is “basically a rural fuel” and most of EDPRO’s business is located geographically within the area.
Locally, propane is an important energy source for the agricultural sector providing heating for residential homes, and power for farmers involved with pig brooding, poultry brooding and crop drying.
So far, Bite noted that EDPRO’s customers are pleased with the prospect of having the supplier closer to home.
“We already have customers in the area and we’ve been delivering out of London, so they’re happier that we’re closer and they’re more comfortable with the security of supply.”
