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Photo by Dax Melmer / Windsor Star

The mayor stressed that FCA has given no indication that the Windsor operation is in jeopardy. “We are proud of this facility and we will continue to do everything we can to help our largest employer be successful,” he said.

“But ladies and gentlemen, we need to start planning as if we’ve just been given notice that 2025 is the year this plant will close.”

He said everyone must act with a sense of urgency to reshape the local economy. He called on the chamber of commerce, local business improvement associations and all other organizations to step up. Because times are good, now’s the time to act, he said. Waiting until the next recession and then hoping to turn things around is just too risky.

“We need to triple our efforts in economic development to fast-track the diversification of our economy.”

Photo by Dax Melmer / Windsor Star

During the last four-year term of council, about 600 jobs have been created by attracting new employers like Kauth (auto parts), APAG (electronics), AAR (aircraft maintenance) and Quicken Loans announcing a tech centre in the downtown. But those 600 jobs are just a fraction of what would be needed to absorb the impact of a Windsor Assembly Plant closure, he stressed.

He said he won’t be mayor in 10 years. But if history is any indication, one of the 10 councillors sitting behind him on the St. Clair Centre for the Arts stage Monday night, will be.

“And God help the mayor who is faced with the prospect I’ve described for you.”

The mayor pledged to do everything in his power to make sure that doesn’t happen. He said first, the city needs support from county. In the last four years, there have been inroads made in creating a regional transit system (Transit Windsor provides service to the Town of LaSalle) and, in January, Windsor police will provide policing to Amherstburg. Dilkens said much more can be done by working together, which frees up resources that can be spent on economic development.