The community appears to be rallying behind a local competition offering a factory free for one year to a new business.

Less than a month after the Industrial Revolutionary Challenge was launched, organizers have received more than $40,000 in commitments from local businesses, groups and organizations to help make the factory a reality.
Launched on Feb. 17 by St. Thomas Industrial Revolution (STIR), a committee of local business leaders seeking to put St. Thomas at the forefront of business and industry, the challenge would see the winner receive up to 10,000 square feet of industrial space rent-free for a year. The space was donated by the Ryckman Group of St. Thomas and is valued at $40,000.

"There's definitely been some buzz so far, which is good," said Brian Dempsey, the STIR president who is also a small business adviser for TD Canada Trust in St. Thomas. "We've seen activity from not only Canada but all over North America and even a couple of hits from Europe."

He said half a dozen industries have already sent in submissions for the challenge. The entry deadline is April 30.
The challenge got a boost recently when Conservative MP Joe Preston spoke about it in the House of Commons.
An equally important part of the challenge is community participation. STIR encourages businesses, groups and organizations to volunteer services to make assist the challenge. For instance, plumbers and electricians could donate their time and expertise to help build the facility.

Dempsey said so far, STIR has received about $40,000 in commitments from various groups throughout St. Thomas.
"Our goal is to try to break the $100,000 to $150,000 mark," he said, noting some groups aren't able to put a dollar figure on their contribution until they know what industry wins the challenge.

That aside Dempsey said, "With the local interest . . . I'd say we're there already. It's just a matter of defining the specifics and waiting to see who the winner is."
While he couldn't say exactly which local organizations are contributing, he did say a chartered accountant has inquired about helping as has a human resources company.

For more information visit www.stirchallenge.ca.