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Press Release:

Labatt Contributes Rent As Bermingham Foundation Solutions Expands Into Former Lakeport Facility

Hamilton Port Authority, Bermingham Foundadtion Solutions and Labatt Breweries of Canada today jointly announced an agreement that will enable Bermingham to expand their facilities and occupy a portion of the former Lakeport Brewery building. Labatt will pay the rent on the property until May 2012 – a contribution valued at approximately $125,000.

"Labatt is pleased that Bermingham is taking advantage of our offer and will be able to use our donation to expand their operations and maintain employment levels in Hamilton," said Labatt spokesperson Jeff Ryan. The Hamilton Port Authority and Bermingham have also made considerable investment commitments totalling over $3 million.

Since last year, Labatt and the Hamilton Port Authority have been actively seeking an appropriate tenant that could take advantage of the offer to cover occupancy costs. The resulting agreement will see a longtime Hamilton company continue its operations on the port lands and continue to round out the expertise in the port.

Bermingham is currently located adjacent to the former Lakeport property at Pier 10. "We are growing steadily and this arrangement will allow us to expand our operations and at the same time remain in Hamilton," said Bermingham CEO Patrick Bermingham. "It was important to us to have an opportunity to grow in our home where our pool of talent lives." Bermingham had previously considered leaving the city as a suitable site was seemingly not available, and this expansion will allow the company to keep more than 170 jobs in Hamilton.

The Hamilton Port Authority business development team had focused considerable time in identifying a new occupant for the building that fit the strategic focus of the port and is grateful for the cooperation shown by Labatt. "Supporting our existing partners and together finding solutions for them to grow within the port is vital to our success," noted HPA president Bruce Wood. The new lease agreement with Bermingham is for a 12-year term.