Premier Doug Ford was in St. Thomas on Thursday morning to mark a $3.2-billion investment by Norway-based Vianode in a local plant officials say will eventually employ 1,000 and help power about two million electric vehicles annually.

Synthetic graphite, key to the production of EVs and batteries, will be produced at the facility that’s expected to initially create 300 jobs and further strengthen the region’s role in the EV sector.

“We’re so grateful for your confidence” in Ontario, Ford, speaking on his birthday, said to Vianode officials at a press conference.

“With (U.S.) tariffs and economic uncertainty taking direct aim at our economy . . . our government is doing everything we can to protect communities, businesses, people’s jobs, families right across Ontario,” Ford said, lauding

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