Windsor Korean-Canadian community ready to welcome NextStar workers — but influx raises rent concerns

Questions still surround exactly how many South Koreans will be arriving in Windsor to work on the new electric vehicle battery plant — but the city's Korean-Canadian community is ready to welcome them.

"I'm glad there are more Koreans coming here," said Henry Kim, owner of Cafe March 21, a downtown coffeehouse.

"They're my future clients. I'm happy about it."

"When I first came to Canada, people didn't really know about Korean culture. But these days, thanks to stuff like K-pop and Korean food, a lot more people are learning about Korean culture now."

Kim's place of business is where Windsor police chief Jason Bellaire brought Woongsoon Lim, the Republic of Korea's ambassador to Canada, during a visit to the city last week.

Political controversy erupted after Windsor police posted on social media that they're readying for 1,600 South Koreans to be temporarily living and working in Windsor in 2024, as part of the development efforts for the NextStar Energy facility.

The massive plant is the result of a partnership between Stellantis and the South Korean company LG Energy Solution. The facility will be the first of its kind in Canada — benefiting from $15B in tax breaks.

NextStar Energy has not confirmed how many South Korean workers will be involved in the installation phase of the project. But the company has emphasized it is committed to hiring 2,500 Canadians for full-time positions, along with as many as 2,300 Ontario tradespeople during construction.

Randy Boissonault, minister of employment and workforce development, and François-Philippe Champagne, minister of innovation, science and industry, disputed the 1,600-worker figure this week.

Champagne said he expects "a fairly small number" of foreign workers will be necessary for the launch of the battery plant."

Kim — who avoids politics — was gratified to have the ambassador as a customer, and is looking forward to Windsor's Korean community suddenly growing.

"We were nervous," Kim said. "It was really good seeing (the ambassador). He was very supportive to the Korean community in Windsor. He was very kind."

Kim said Windsor's Korean-Canadian community is small compared to other ethnic communities in the city, such as the local Middle Eastern and South Asian populations.

Kim started Cafe March 21 in 2015. He went into business for himself after spending some time as an employee of CS Wind — the Korean-owned wind turbine manufacturing facility in Windsor, which has since ceased operations.

Among Cafe March 21's offerings are Korean-style coffee, and Korean street food such as mandu (dumplings) and tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes).

"I've always had a dream to open my own cafe," Kim explained. "I'm really thankful. The right timing, the right opportunity."

Cafe March 21 isn't the only Korean-themed local business. The variety store Windsor Korea Market is located on the same street as the cafe.

Two eateries on Wyandotte Street West — BiBim to Go and Windsor Seoul — offer Korean cuisine.

According to Myung Jin Kim, president of the Korean Society of Windsor, there are around 800 people of Korean descent in the area.

MJ Kim said his non-profit organization considers the battery plant an unprecedented investment — "welcome news for the Windsor Korean community."

"The Korean Society of Windsor is willing to help these temporary assignment Koreans to understand our Canadian culture, basic health and safety, and employment standards," Kim stated.

But the arrival of potentially hundreds of South Koreans needing accommodations could have some not-so-positive local impacts.

Mark Lalovich, president of the Windsor-Essex County Association of Realtors (WECAR), said he expects the city's high-demand rental market to become even tougher.

"I mean, the reality of that is that they're going to face the same housing shortage that the general market is experiencing now," Lalovich explained.

"The rental rates are going to be under pressure — meaning upward pressure — because of lack of supply and more competition. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see that continue to trend upward."

"It's a supply and demand situation. If there's more demand, there's going to be more pressure on the rates."

New rental developments set to pop up over the next 12 to 18 months in Windsor and LaSalle could help matters — if they're completed in time, Lalovich said.

"I do think there's enough on the rental side that's going to come on the market later in 2024 to 2025. But again, the reality in the general marketplace is that there's a shortage of housing out there, and (the workers) are going to face the same challenges as the public does today."

Lalovich said WECAR will be keeping an eye on the issue.

Despite Henry Kim doing his best to avoid politics, he couldn't help but express similar misgivings.

"Not only Windsor, but the whole of Canada is going through housing issues," Kim said. "I don't know. Where are they staying?"