Ontario invests $2.5M in Highbury Canco's Leamington plant

Highbury Canco continues to tap into a $2.5-million investment made by the Ontario government, making its Leamington plant greener, more efficient and allowing the company to hire more people.

Premier Kathleen Wynne was in Leamington on Friday to weigh in on the investment.

"Leamington tomatoes are the best in the world," Wynne said.

The company has already received 20 per cent of the $2.5million.

Highbury Canco's Sam Diab said the company has secured more work and will hire 30 more workers. The plant employs 420 now.

H.J. Heinz Co. ceased operations at its Leamington plant in 2014,putting hundreds of people out of work andending the partnership that has lasted more than a century between the company and community.

The ketchup giant opened its first Canadian plant there in 1909.

Eventually, Highbury Canco bought the plant and signed a contract to package some products, including tomato juice, for Heinz.