Owen Sound sets up working group after TC Transcontinental plant closure

The City of Owen Sound has set up a Transitional Working Group to respond to TC Transcontinental's decision to close its RBW printing plant in Owen Sound, the City said in a news release on Friday, Oct. 23.

City Manager Tim Simmonds, along with representatives from Grey County and Georgian College, met with local and national leaders from TC Transcontinental earlier this week, the release says. The City says the meetings were meant "to establish lines of communication, extend support and begin understanding how local organizations can work together to respond to the needs of affected employees and the community."

The working group is led by the City with Grey County's Economic Development Team, Georgian College, and Employment Services Bruce Grey Huron and Perth. The City says it will "serve as a coordinating body to maintain communication, better understand emerging needs and help mobilize appropriate resources as those needs become clear."

"The City understands that the closure was a corporate decision made at the executive level," the release says.

P&H grain elevator

Early discussions have also included the closure of the P&H grain elevator site, the City says, and "the importance of understanding its impact on workers and future opportunities for the site."

The group is partnering with the Province of Ontario through MPP Paul Vickers to better understand the wider economic impact of both closures, according to the release.

No next steps yet

The City says there is "still more information to gather, particularly from those most directly impacted, before specific next steps can be identified and communicated more broadly." It says it will provide further updates as information becomes available.

TC Transcontinental announced Oct. 14 that the Owen Sound plant will close at the end of January 2027. The company has said about 360 employees are affected. Read our earlier story.

For more information, the City lists Communications at 519-376-4440 ext. 1207 or communications@owensound.ca.

Source: City of Owen Sound news release, Oct. 23, 2026.