If Gerald Gabriel has his way, a deal will be signed, sealed and delivered this summer and Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering will begin construction of wind turbine parts in Pictou County.
"That’s the way it’s going to be and we’re going to do everything we can to facilitate and accommodate," the executive director of Pictou Regional Development Commission said in a recent interview.
Gabriel said DSME Trenton Ltd.’s plan to build wind turbine components at the former TrentonWorks plant will mean much-needed jobs for this community.
"They have to go through legal due diligence, but it will be just a few more weeks before it’s a done deal," he said.
"Their (human resources) people are doing interviews and by the end of October or November, there will be 100 people working there."
Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering, a multinational corporation based in South Korea, intends to use this facility as a launching pad into the wind power business. It is supposed to employ 120 people in the first year making turbine towers and blades. Up to 400 jobs are expected to be created within three years.
A spokesman for the province’s Economic and Rural Development Department said a number of things have to happen before the deal is officially signed off.
"It’s like buying a house," said Toby Kaufman. "There are many loose ends to tie up.
"There is a geotechnical study we’re awaiting on the property where the heavy turbines will be stored to determine if the area is suitable."
The area he referred to is land owned by Nova Scotia Power Inc., which is next door to the former TrentonWorks railcar plant.
Fly ash emitted from Nova Scotia Power’s nearby Trenton power generating plant is stored there.
"The report will determine the stability of the fly ash to see if it will support the weight of the components," said Kaufman.
As part of the multimillion-dollar deal to bring the business to this area, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency has promised a $5-million contribution to ensure the property is usable.
Aside from the $20 million invested in the project by DSME Trenton, provincial government funding includes $19.6 million for a 49 per cent interest in the company and a $30-million loan for equipment.
As well, the province has provided $6 million in working capital and a $4-million forgivable loan for land and buildings.
Kaufman said the study should be in government’s hands by the end of next week.
Meanwhile, Gabriel said the community is doing everything to make sure the company feels welcome in the area.
"We’ve met with company officials just to make sure there are no issues that could be a problem," he said.
"Even to the extent that we are trying to make sure there are Korean foodstuffs available in local grocery stores and to make sure we’ll have suitable housing to meet their needs."
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