Written By David Gomez, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
MIDDLESEX COUNTY — A proposed Employment Lands Readiness Program advanced at Middlesex County Council’s December 9 meeting, as councillors reviewed a report outlining a new approach to supporting early-stage planning work for employment lands across the county.
The report was introduced by CAO Paul Shipway, who explained that the initiative was developed in response to correspondence from the Township of Adelaide Metcalfe and reflects a growing need among lower-tier municipalities for assistance with studies required before lands can move toward development readiness.
Shipway noted that the proposed program was intentionally structured outside the existing Middlesex County Loan Program. “Because of the differences in the program, we did not incorporate this directly into the county loan program, and we developed an employment lands readiness program for council consideration,” he said.
Unlike the County Loan Program, which funds growth-related capital infrastructure, the Employment Lands Readiness Program would focus on studies and feasibility work that do not immediately result in tangible assets. As a result, the program would operate with lower financial thresholds. Shipway told council that funding would be capped at $200,000 per application, limited to one application at a time per municipality, and provided as an interest-free loan with a five-year repayment term.
“Therefore, it mirrors the framework of the loan program, but it is for studies,” Shipway said.
He added that if applications for both programs were submitted at the same time, priority would remain with the County Loan Program to ensure that investments in physical infrastructure continue to take precedence. Informal outreach to local CAOs showed general openness to additional funding tools, Shipway said, while also highlighting concerns about maintaining the sustainability of the existing loan program.
“Everyone’s open to additional sources of funding if it’s available,” he told council, while acknowledging the importance of ensuring that funding for capital projects remains protected.
Council voted to receive the Employment Lands Readiness Program report for information and directed staff to bring forward a by-law to formally adopt the program for council consideration. The motion was moved by Councillor Grantham, seconded by Councillor Smibert, and carried unanimously.
