Hamilton, Ont., has the reputation of being a declining rust belt urban area, but it has been quietly growing as a significant port for crops.
A recent investment by Richardson International makes it more significant. Richardson is spending $5.5 million to add a third grain truck receiving pit, a new elevation leg and a second shipping tower to a facility that receives grain by truck and loads it onto boats.
“Hamilton’s a very efficient port,” said Richardson International spokesperson Tracey Thompson.
“We’ve been able to move quite a bit through there.”
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Richardson International was the first grain company to build a facility in Hamilton, about 10 years ago. However, a number of other companies that ship southern Ontario crops have followed suit.
The additions will allow the plant to bring in more grain during periods such as harvest and load two ships at a time, vastly increasing capacity.
Ontario has large crops of corn, beans and wheat, many of which end up moving through the Great Lakes. Hamilton has been a natural, if untraditional, port to develop.
“Hamilton has really emerged,” said Thompson. “It’s been a very good presence for us over 10 years.”
