STRATFORD, Ontario (Reuters) - A Canadian town known for its annual theater festival is emerging as a hub of "snowtonomous" research, as automakers face demands to produce self-driving cars that can perform in snow and sleet.

But testing driverless cars in cold climates brings added challenges to an industry grappling with the first fatality involving an autonomous vehicle.

The auto industry's past and present co-exist with its high-tech future on opposite corners of an intersection in Stratford, Ont. If the research being conducted on the southeastern corner achieves its ultimate goal, what's happening on the northwestern side will no longer be necessary.

Computer-chip manufacturer Renesas Electronics Corp. is testing an autonomous vehicle on a dedicated track on the southeastern corner.

On the opposite corner of the crossing, where Lorne Avenue meets Romeo Street – this is, after all, the home of a Shakespearean festival – Lorne Ave. Salvage Yard & Recycling reclaims what it can from wrecked vehicles.

Ontario is investing $80 million over five years in the autonomous vehicle innovation network (AVIN) in Stratford.

The province is partnering with the Ontario Centres of Excellence to launch AVIN, which includes a Demonstration Zone allowing researchers to develop the technology and test an autonomous vehicle in real-life traffic scenarios.

In the Demonstration Zone, technologies can be tested, validated and showcased in live scenarios using vehicle platforms such as city buses, fleet vehicles, and OEM vehicles.

The Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network (AVIN) and Demonstration Zone have officially opened in Stratford, Ontario, the new go-to destination for developing autonomous vehicles.

This first-of-its-kind Demonstration Zone will enable self-driving car technology researchers to innovate and test autonomous vehicles in real-life scenarios.With over 10,000 employees across 50 companies and organizations in Ontario, the self-driving/connected vehicle sector is growing and the province is investing to help remain a leader in the field.

Stratford is one of the best cities in Canada to call home, according to MoneySense magazine.

The city is moving up when it comes to magazine's annual ranking of the best places to live from coast to coast.

Last year pegged in the 15th spot, Stratford was declared the 12th best place to live in Canada in this year's rankings - though apparently it hasn't regained the glory of 2015 when the city claimed the 7th place position in Canada. The list is based on categories like a robust economy, median household income, access to health care, low taxes and crime, and nice weather.

Self-driving cars in Canada have a new designated test site in the province of Ontario: Stratford, which is also home to the annual Stratford Festival, an event celebrating Shakespearean and other stage plays. Autonomous-vehicle testing in Stratford will provide a focal point for development done across six technology centers located at different points around the province before heading to the dramatic proving ground.

There wasn't much in the way of detail to flesh out a vague proposal of a Cooper Block community hub - but it's coming.

And soon local residents will get to have their say.

Community consultation will begin in May, CAO Rob Horne told city councillors at Monday night's meeting.

A research team at the University of Waterloo played a key role in the development of a highly autonomous vehicle that Renesas Electronics America unveiled today at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

Using sensors and powerful computers, the car is capable of detecting and responding to other vehicles, stop signs and traffic lights to provide a safer driving experience. For example, vehicle-to-infrastructure communications allow the vehicle to detect in advance when a traffic light will change.

Today in Tokyo, Premier Kathleen Wynne met with leaders from across Ontario and Japan to announce new business agreements valued at $120 million that are expected to deliver 170 jobs in Ontario.

Ontario and Japanese businesses and institutions announced 15 new business agreements and partnerships, including:

A job fair held in Stratford at the Rotary Complex on Tuesday, Nov. 1 laid bare the truth of the job market in Stratford these days.

The reality is, there are lots of jobs. So many, in fact, that employers are scrambling to see them filled.

Coupled with that is a high rate of unemployment amongst young people; but shouldn’t both of these cancel each other out?