Former Nestlé plant up for sale in Chesterville
Nearly 300 people out of work when plant closed in 2006
The former Nestlé plant in Chesterville, Ont., is up for sale, bringing hope of new jobs in the small eastern Ontario village.
It is owned by a Toronto-area businessman but the Township of North Dundas is trying to force a sale under the Municipal Act in order to retrieve unpaid property taxes.
Deputy mayor Gerry Boyce confirmed that potential buyers have toured the property but would not comment further to avoid jeopardizing a sale. It's on the market for about $500,000.
Bob Harper worked at the plant for 41 years, and his father and grandfather before him. It produced instant coffee, chocolate syrup and powder products for nearly 100 years in the village, which is situated about 65 kilometres southeast of downtown Ottawa.
"We've missed the place, that's for sure. The town's quiet. The town's hurting. There's not a lot of good jobs around anymore," he said. "I'm one of the lucky ones. Got a job local."
Richard Casselman, who was born in Chesterville in 1927, said he hopes whoever buys the 370,000-square-foot plant has a plan to create jobs in town.
"It's just been sitting there. It's a nice building," he said. "I'd like to see it filled with something and used."
The former Hershey's plant in Smiths Falls was converted into a medical marijuana facility this year, after Health Canada approved its licence to produce 15,000 kilograms a year. The 168,000 square-foot facility had been vacant since 2008.
But Harper said the ideal scenario would be to have Nestlé return to Chesterville.
"I want Nestlé back. This is Nestlé's town. That's it," he said.