Ontario’s property inventory grew by more than $42 billion through new construction and property improvements in 2023.
When looking at the growth rates for municipalities with populations less than 15,000, Southwold had the largest overall growth in the province this year, just over $286 million.
We spoke with Mayor Grant Jones on the impact of the recently opened Amazon fulfillment centre.
The Ford Canada St. Thomas Assembly Plant where the Amazon plant is now located paid approximately $3 million in municipal tax before it closed in 2011.
Jones concedes the money is definitely needed for future growth.
He added a deal has been reached with Hydro One to secure electrical service to a section of the property bordering Wonderland Road that is listed for sale.
A portion of that 161-acre tract of land was pegged for a 38.4-megawatt solar farm in a 2015 proposal by Capstone Infrastructure, however, the $75 million renewable energy project failed to garner provincial approval.
