Written By Jan Sims
MIDDLESEX CENTRE - Middlesex Centre council got an update on Middlesex County initiatives at its June 3rd meeting. County warden and Adelaide Metcalfe mayor Sue Clarke together with CAO Paul Shipway outlined key areas, challenges and accomplishments. “We wanted to provide a brief update of some of the initiatives that we have taken at the County that we think will connect and support the local municipalities within Middlesex County,” said Clarke.
The presentation focused on a number of areas including a county Strategic Plan that features six main areas. “It recognizes the role the County plays in a two-tier system where the local municipalities maintain capacity for water and wastewater infrastructure which is determinant on investments within the county,” said Shipway.
In the area of economic development, a land readiness program was discussed that’s designed to bring more industrial development to the county. “As the mayor of Adelaide Metcalfe, we undertook to borrow $200,000 from the county loan program,” said Clarke. The warden highlighted attempts to build an industrial area in Adelaide Metcalfe near Highway 402, citing comparisons with developments in Lambton and Oxford counties. “We are so far behind. And unfortunately, the residential tax base carries the burden for many of our expenses because we don’t have a more robust industrial assessment base,” said Clarke.
Social services, and specifically housing, was another focus of the presentation. Council was told efforts to enhance the partnership with the city of London are underway. “We have had discussions, which historically may not have happened, with the London housing corporation to say there hasn’t been a lot of investment in Middlesex County for 50 years, basically… we are now at the table and they are seeing that we need investment in Middlesex County,” said Clarke.
In terms of the county-wide library system, council was told efforts are underway to assess service needs and match that with possible new library branches. “We are trying to add that strategic lens to one of our most important service areas,” said Shipway.
