Haldimand is under growth pressure, particularly in some of our communities. My priority is to manage that growth carefully, protect our farmland and rural character, and make sure our economic plan includes jobs, businesses, commercial services and a strong industrial base.
That matters for the people who live here, and it matters for our property taxes.
As I wrote recently in my post about Haldimand’s tax base, one of my long-term goals is to reduce the share of the municipal tax burden carried by residential taxpayers. That does not mean charging existing businesses more. It means growing our commercial and industrial tax base so more of the cost of municipal services is shared beyond residential properties.
That is why Jobs and Investment is a specific part of my campaign platform: attracting commercial and industrial investment that creates local jobs, strengthens our business areas and expands the tax base to ease pressure on residential taxpayers.
One of the more unexpected things to happen during this campaign has been receiving calls from businesses outside Haldimand that are considering locating or investing here.
They have been watching our election.
Some have told me they see real opportunity in Haldimand but find the County difficult to approach from a business perspective. A few have said they want to be among the first to have discussions after the election and are watching the outcome closely because of my background in business and leadership.
I did not expect those calls.
They are encouraging because they show that businesses outside Haldimand see potential here. They are also a reminder that municipalities compete for investment.
Businesses have choices about where they locate. Land, infrastructure, taxes, transportation and workforce all matter. So does their experience dealing with the municipality.
Haldimand should be a place where serious investors know they will get a professional response, clear information and a genuine opportunity to discuss their plans.
Being business-friendly does not mean approving every proposal or changing the rules for someone with money.
It means being responsive.
Businesses should be able to understand the process, know what is expected of them and receive clear, predictable timelines.
That is consistent with my broader commitment to improve customer service across Haldimand County: clear answers, practical solutions and helping residents and businesses move things forward.
If we want employers to come here, we need places for them to locate and grow.
Haldimand has already completed substantial work on the North Caledonia Employment Lands, an area being planned for future business and industrial use. That work looked at servicing, financing, the types of businesses that could locate there, and how those lands could eventually be brought to market.
The next step is turning planning into results.
But this cannot be only about North Caledonia.
Dunnville, Hagersville, Cayuga, Jarvis and our other communities also need opportunities for business growth and investment. In some places that may mean expanding existing business areas. In others, it may mean making better use of land already designated for commercial or industrial use, improving servicing, or identifying where future business lands make sense.
We need a clear picture of what land is available across Haldimand, what infrastructure is required, what barriers are holding investment back and what types of businesses make sense in each community.
This is not a new position for me. My 2022 platform also called for growing employment opportunities by expanding business lands in existing business parks and commercial corridors.
Nanticoke deserves particular attention.
The Lake Erie Industrial Park contains large parcels of industrial and commercial land, Great Lakes access, nearby electricity transmission infrastructure and the ability to accommodate large projects that few other locations can.
Haldimand should be actively involved in attracting the right investment to this area and working with the Province, utilities, landowners and prospective employers.
That does not mean accepting every proposal.
It means knowing what we have, deciding what types of investment make sense for Haldimand and being ready when the right opportunity comes along.
Economic development is not only about bringing in new companies.
Some of our best opportunities are businesses that are already here.
A manufacturer adding another production line, a contractor moving into a larger building, a retailer opening another location or a small business hiring two more people all contribute to our local economy.
Those businesses have already chosen Haldimand.
When they want to expand, we should make it easier for them to understand the process, get answers and move a good project forward.
I want more Haldimand residents to have the option of working closer to home.
That can mean manufacturing, skilled trades, agriculture and agri-food, technology, professional services, construction, tourism, retail or small business.
It means more opportunities for young people who want to stay here. It can mean a shorter commute for someone travelling outside the County every day. It can also mean a local company being able to expand without having to leave Haldimand.
It strengthens our municipal tax base at the same time.
Controlling spending remains part of keeping property taxes in check. Growing our commercial and industrial economy is another part of the equation.
Haldimand has opportunities. We need leadership that can see the bigger picture, recognize the right opportunities and act when they come.
