 Heavy industry has been diminishing for the past decade or more primarily due to the slow-down of the North American automotive manufacturers.Thousands of jobs have been lost at long-time area employers such as General Motors, Thompson Products, Deere & Company, Dana Canada Corp, Port Weller Drydocks, Domtar Papers and Gallagher Thorold Paper.Because of this, local municipalities have been forced to look at new and diversified opportunities to prevent an exodus of well trained staff.