Economic Development Officer Dale Small believes Wellington North is on the right track when it comes to promoting the area.
In a recent interview Small said, “There is a lot of development going on in Wellington North.”
He cited the sale of the Murphy lands, and the Sobey’s opportunity at the north end of Mount Forest. He also noted work with a developer in the Cork Street area as well.
Small said the development at the intersection of Highway 6 and County Road 109 is progressing well.
“Lots of good things are happening from that standpoint.”
The township continues to meet with local developers, but he added it can be challenging to discuss certain items, “because until things things are signed … There’s nothing for sure. Our whole approach in Wellington North is balanced growth. We want a balance of residential, commercial, and industrial.”
That is what Small sees happening right now.
“We don’t necessarily see one at the expense of another.”
One of of the other things is the township’s receipt of OMAFRA?funding for its business retention and expansion program. Recruitment notices are out right now to hire a business retention and expansion coordinator. He believes those notices went out in the Wellington Advertiser in early July.
“We’re getting lots of applications.”
He noted that about a year ago, the municipality launched the program in Wellington North. The result was two showcases that were well received and which Small hopes will become annual events.
With the OMAFRA?funding, the program will continue, and expand into business visitations and surveys, asking about challenges and how the municipality can help.
As well, the surveys will take a look at opportunities it unearths.
“It’s quite an extensive survey, actually, that we’ll be going through. Our hope is we’ll have the coordinator in place by the first of September, and then it will be a six month program. It is a standard program through OMAFRA, and has been used by other municipalities.
Small has also talked to economic development committee members about the creation of a community improvement plan. He said such plans need to be in place for municipalities to provide businesses and industries with incentives and grants for a variety things, such as revitalizing the front of their buildings or even dealing with brown field locations with environmental cleanups and such.
“We’re going to be working on moving forward and putting that plan in place later in the year.”
County wide concept
Small also spoke of the county-wide economic development group being developed with municipalities.
“We now have formed this group and are meeting the first Tuesday of every month. One of its first projects was developing a county-wide festivals and events guide.
“That was kind of the first county-wide initiative for that group.”
That group involves representatives from each municipality. The terms of reference have been drafted, and Guelph-Eramosa Mayor Chris White is chairing the committee.
“I view this as a very positive thing,” Small said. “County wide, we need to work together to stimulate economic development. We can do our thing from the Wellington North perspective, but we need the county at the table as well.”
He added that all municipalities are needed at the table.
“It’s interesting that it’s really only Minto, Wellington North, and Centre Wellington where councils have dedicated economic development resources. It’s very odd. Obviously I’d like to see the next large business to be in Wellington North, but if it is not here, I hope it is in Minto, Centre Wellington, Puslinch, or somewhere within the county – because a significant part of the tax dollars still go to the county. As a result, it’s good for all the residents of the county,” Small said. “We need them to be as focussed on this as we are.”
Small added that building permit numbers are still pretty solid in his township.
“We’ve had some good success in Wellington North, with recruiting physicians – from an economic development standpoint that’s a very positive sign,” he added. “The key is the balanced growth scenario.”
He reflected on the province’s Places To Grow for 2030 legislation and what Wellington North needs to do.
“The document outlines various percentages of residential, industrial, and commercial We’re sitting pretty good in terms of that,” Small said.
If there is a challenge, it might be the amount of municipally-owned industrial land, he said. “When developers come in, they like serviced, industrial land that is owned by the municipality.”
Unfortunately, in Wellington North, not a lot of industrial land is municipally owned.
While not necessarily a barrier, Small said it brings another party into the equation and the discussions. There are the questions if there is industrial land the municipality should be acquiring – and where.
“It can be costly.”
Getting services requires the development of a plan to get services into a property whether it is municipally owned or privately, he said.
“But, once you can get the services in, you’re a long way down the path as well.”
He added the township is working with local landowners to at least get the plans in place.
He believes infrastructure upgrades to local roads, water and sewage treatment will also make a difference.
Small said, “The infrastructure needs to be in place to support the development.”
Wind energy
There also seems to be the potential of harvesting renewable energy in Wellington North.
Small noted the Arthur wind energy project being developed near that community.
“And we had another group which came to the last economic development meeting,” he said.
The same company is involved in the Chatham-Kent windfarm.
“They are at the very early stages of looking at Wellington North and its potential. Their process is very community minded.”
The meeting was held to keep the committee up to speed about what they are looking for. The company is at the very start of the process.
“They’ll be looking into opportunities in Wellington North, so we’ll see how that goes. We’re very fortunate in Wellington North to have a really solid economic development committee. “What’s also interesting, is that of the five public members, two have submitted nomination papers for council. I view that as a positive thing.
“It’s a good committee in terms of a broad understanding of what is going on in the municipality.
In summary, Small believes in the need for balanced growth, and, “We really believe we’re moving in the right direction with that.”
