Written By David Gomez
ADELAIDE METCALFE - County council has approved a funding request from the Township aimed at advancing the development of industrial lands along Centre Road.
The application, submitted on March 4, marks the first request under the County’s newly established Employment Lands Readiness Program. The program is designed to support lower-tier municipalities in preparing land for future economic development by funding early-stage planning work.
Presenting the report, Procurement Services Manager Josh White said the requested funding would support “a number of early stage planning studies, including a site servicing master plan and a secondary plan, including any required official plan amendment to advance the Centre Road employment lands (…) towards development readiness.” He added that County staff reviewed the submission and determined it meets all eligibility and program requirements.
The total estimated cost of the project is $450,000, with Adelaide Metcalfe requesting an interest-free loan of up to $200,000 through the program. The loan would be repaid to the County over a five-year period. If approved, the Township will proceed with a competitive procurement process to hire consultants to complete the studies.
County Warden and Mayor Susan Clarke noted the broader context behind the program, describing it as a response to challenges faced by smaller municipalities. “It came about due to the enormous pressure that’s put on smaller municipalities when it comes to development and growth,” she said. Clarke added that preparing land for investment requires upfront spending that many municipalities struggle to manage, calling the initiative “a worthwhile program going forward to help out.”
County council members did not raise questions during the discussion. The recommendation to approve the loan application for the Centre Road industrial lands was moved and seconded without debate.
They voted in favour of the motion, approving the $200,000 loan. A bylaw to formalize the agreement between the County and the Township is expected to be introduced at the April 14 County council meeting.
