New industrial park jobs hinge on development, city staff say

Nearly 1,200 jobs could be created if two industrial park areas receive city investments, according to a city staff report.

In February, councillors directed staff to work with the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation to develop a “recommended course of action with respect to investing in water, wastewater and roads infrastructure in industrial areas throughout” the city, according to a staff report.

City council will hear the details of the plan during their June 29 meeting.

Two industrial areas — the Lasalle/Elisabella area and the Fielding Road area — have been identified by city staff as “priority” areas for development.

The Lasalle/Elisabella area is being recommended for upgrading, as there is a “strong desire to develop and expand from several businesses in the area.”

Also, development in the area would be considered “growth-related” and would “likely be recovered at the development stage.” According to the report, if the area were to be developed, about 547 jobs could potentially be created.

The report concludes that the cost to develop the Fielding Road would be “significant,” however several reasons are given to develop the area including an “opportunity to this community with Railveyor Technologies wanting to establish their base of operations in this area.”

Other reasons given to develop the area include the area being a “strategic location for our mining supply and services cluster due to proximity to major clients and highways,” and the costs for installing services are “largely on a cost-recovery basis.”

More than 630 jobs could be created if the area were developed, according to the report.

The report recommends $875,000 be used from the city's industrial land reserve fund to do preliminary work before the industrial areas are development.

Conducting a detailed design and engineering plan for the Lasalle/Elisabella area would cost $375,000 and an environmental assessment for the Fielding Road area would cost $500,000.

Though it will cost the city to develop the areas, the report states “the new assessment growth that is anticipated to result in these areas will also generate new taxation revenue which can be a source of funding to invest into capital needs.”

Staff will also develop a financial plan once “funding from senior levels of government and benefiting landowners are secured.” The financial model would “consider various cost-sharing and recovery mechanisms.”

- Posted by Martha Dillman