Council moves forward with Aerospace Business Park

Even though it was Halloween Night, North Bay City Council met for their weekly scheduled meeting and cleaned up some loose ends regarding small bylaw changes including parking, minor smoking bylaw adjustments and clean air bylaws.

Council also awarded the tender for the infrastructure work to be done for the first phase of the Airport Industrial Park. Councillors approved the award of a service contract to Gap Construction Co. Ltd. in the amount of 5.4 million dollars (excluding HST) for the implementation of water, sewer and roads for the North Bay Aerospace Business Park.

This project was budgeted as a 2012 project within the 2011 Capital Plan. Due to the interest in the land the project has been tendered in order to begin work prior to the frost. This approval will also allow for the project to proceed as soon as construction season begins in 2012. This is a priority project as it ties to the City's economic and development plans.

Vice-Chair of Engineering and Works, Councillor Chris Mayne spoke to the importance of developing these lands as to how it would attract business and industrial operations looking to locate here in North Bay and near the long world class runway at the airport.

“We're really excited to see (the park) getting underway,” Mayne says.

Especially optimistic with regards to the parks future development is North Bay City Mayor, Al MacDonald. While he was, at this point in time, unable to mention specific companies or parties interested in the park he says that a large chunk of the land has already been purchased and he is confident that North Bay's many attractions, including quality of life in the city will entice buyers to snap up any remaining available property.

“The sheer interest from investors from outside our region is incredibly encouraging,” MacDonald says.

According to the City's analysis, North Bay is home to an established dynamic aerospace industry. The industry develops, manufactures and exports globally-competitive products for major international programs in aircraft, space and defense industries. Due to North Bay's accessible location and highly skilled workforce, the city is regarded as an ideal place to conduct aerospace-related business which will require additional industrial designated lands.

North Bay has seen significant growth in the industrial sector as a whole. In terms of industrial development within the city's limits, coupled with the province's decision to protect the remaining space as designated 'wetlands', Seymour Street and Gateway Parks are at or near capacity. With the need for industrial designated lands within the city of North Bay and with the unrestricted Municipal ownership of the Airport lands, the development of the Airport Aerospace Business Park with the potential for approximately 1000 serviced acres has been identified as a strategic investment in the long term health and prosperity of the community.

Officials say the primary goal will be to develop a comprehensive investment attraction package that will facilitate the expansion and relocation of business to the new Airport Aerospace Business Park. The city is therefore taking the Draft Plan of Subdivision approach to facilitate the planning and design process of the property.

Councillor Sean Lawlor says that developing the vacant land is a big deal for the city with regards to job creation and economic opportunities.

“This is the area of the city that is designated as the 'growth area' for that type of development and we're anxious to get this project underway,” Lawlor says.

“Let's start filling the park up.”