Cities
The city of Beauharnois is the home of the Beauharnois Lock and Hydroelectric Power Station. A data centre is currently under construction in the city, which is designed as one of the world’s largest. Beauharnois has an area of 69 sq. km and a population of about 12,000. Salaberry-de-Valleyfield is situated on the island of Grande-Île and has a population of around 40,000. There are 2 vocational training centres, 1 high school, 12 elementary schools, and 9 daycare centres.
Economy and Major Industry Sectors
Economic growth is mainly driven by the region’s well-developed communications network infrastructure, geographic location, and proximity to major markets. The region is an attractive place for businesses in different industries, including recycling, manufacturing, agri-food, and chemical and metallurgy. Companies with more than 100 employees include Asten Johnson, Hydro-Quebec, Metro Plus, Les Consultants LBCD. They operate across different sectors such as manufacturing, retail, health and social services, banking and insurance, etc. Some 52 percent of businesses operate across the 4 main industry sectors in the region – recycling and environment, trade and tourism, logistics and transportation, and chemical and metallurgy. Metallurgy is a major industry sector which accounts for 28 percent of jobs and 23 percent of businesses.
Industry sectors are well-developed due to the region’s proximity to international airports in Montreal. Montreal-Trudeau, for example, offers a wide range of cargo services, including truck loading, disassembly and assembly of pallets, warehousing, logistics management, centres for perishables, food inspection, and customs.
The workforce is mainly employed in trades, transportation, and machinery, sales and services, and business, finance, and administration. The median income in the sales and services sector is about $28,900. The average salary of employees in the management sector is about $51,700. The median salary across sectors is $41,217.
Financing for Businesses
Recently, Atelier d’usinage Quenneville has been offered financial assistance under the Quebec Economic Development Program. Funding is offered in the form of a repayable contribution to help facilitate expansion. Repayable contributions are offered under the program as unsecured loans that bear no interest and come with a prearranged repayment schedule: See https://www.creditavenue.ca/best-credit-cards-in-canada/. Unlike them, grants are non-repayable contributions. See also: https://www.creditavenue.ca/canadas-top-ten-secured-credit-cards/
Attractions and Recreational Facilities
There are plenty of things to do and see in the region, from bike riding, scuba diving and kayaking to going on a cruise and sunbathing on the beach. Visitors have plenty of choice when it comes to outdoor activities, from visiting wildlife refuges and bird watching to walking paths, agritourism, and more. The Écomusée des Deux-Rives is a good place for cultural aficionados and offers information about the cultural and economic history of the area. Dining options are plenty in the Gourmet neighborhood of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, from pubs, bistros, and sushi to Mexican, Italian, and Cajun-Creole cuisine. There is also a snack bar in the Parc des îles-de-Saint-Timothée, which also features a children’s playground and beach. The aquatic complex is situated downtown and is a good place to go for a swim, featuring small rivers, dedicated swimming lanes, a spiral slide, and a heated pool.
When it comes to cultural activities and events, the Valleyfield Regattas have been held in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield since 1938. This is a major event that takes place in July and attracts more than 130,000 spectators. Visitors enjoy plenty of activities during the festival, including shows, demonstrations, and competitions, entertainment for children and adults, an inflatable play area, and sports activities.