Chatham-Kent is the largest municipality in southwestern Ontario. At 2,458 square kilometres, it is the twelveth biggest municipality by area in Canada. In the year 1998 Kent County and its municipalities merged to become the modern Chatham-Kent. Almost half of the municipality's 110,000 people live within the former Chatham City. Other population centres are Dresden, Blenheim, Wallaceburg, Tilbury and Ridgetown.
Situated within Ontario's industrial heartland, Chatham-Kent has well developed agricultural and automotive sectors. The municipality has been nicknamed, "The Classic Car Capital of Canada." Hank Chrysler, father of Walter P. Chrysler (of the Chrysler company), was born within Chatham. Among Canada's earliest car makers, Gray-Dort Motors Ltd., had its beginnings in Chatham City. AutoLiv Canada, which makes airbags, is located within Tilbury. RM Auctions, the world's largest vintage automobile auction house, and the world's biggest vintage automobile restoration company, RM Restorations, are located within Blenheim.
Chatham-Kent's agricultural and energy sectors are thriving. Among the largest ethanol plants within the world, Commercial Alcohols, is situated there. The municipality is the headquarters for biotechnology company Pioneer Hi-Bred Limited. Omstead Foods is the 2nd largest frozen vegetable processor in Canada and the largest producer of fresh fish. Thompsons Limited is a third-generation, family operated and owned company headquartered in Blenheim serving the agricultural industry with a network of modern elevators situated across the United States and Southern Ontario. Thompsons likewise has retail centres selling fertilizer, seed, crop protectants and other agricultural services. Under its Hyland Seeds brand, the company sells seed, bean products and popcorn. Chatham-Kent attracts lots of foreign labourers to work on area farms all through the growing season. The headquarters of Union Gas are situated in Chatham. The land along the shore of Lake Erie has proven perfect for the establishment of many wind farms.
Chatham is the retail center for the surrounding population. Big-box stores are specifically many at the north end of St. Clair Street within Chatham and on Communication Road within Blenheim.
The company of Mallory Industries is an international company based within Blenheim, and within Sioux City, Iowa. The company produces wash brushes and squeegees all over North America. The successful company was started by George W. Mallory during the year 1891 within Guilds. The factory started in Mallory's home and moved to Blenheim in 1914. Its present location is on Communication Road south of Blenheim, where it located in the year 1957.