EDAC CLARINGTON smart investment Leading the way to Algoma Orchards expansion LCBO, Courtice Ontario Construction Report special feature Proudly positioned on the eastern border of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) within the Region of Durham, the Mu- nicipality of Clarington is a growing lakeshore community. Home to more than 90,000 residents, 1,500 businesses and several major infrastructure and investment projects, Clarington encompasses a rich blend of urban and rural op- portunities. According to the Clarington Board of Trade and Office of Economic Development (CBOT) everyone can find what they are looking for in the unique communities of Courtice, Bowmanville, Newcastle, Orono and various rural hamlets. Clarington is a community that has been experiencing no- table development and continues to prepare for exponen- tial growth resulting from major infrastructure projects. Development and job creation Since January of this year, the CBOT have received sev- eral inquiries from realtors, the provincial government and companies to accommodate more than 600,000 sq. ft. of development ranging from 2,000 to 180,000 sq. ft. facili- ties. There has also been a notable increase in the past year in the existing manufacturing community who are looking to expand operations to accommodate their growth. “We know of 10 manufacturers with a combined total of more than 475 employees, who have either expanded or are seriously considering it, or have site plan approval. These include Algoma Orchards (48,000 sq. ft.) and Detox Environmental (18,000 sq. ft.),” said Sheila Hall, executive director. 30 – November 2015 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report Between 2014 and the beginning of 2015, the commu- nity has seen more than $35 million invested in commer- cial/industrial development. The Municipality of Clarington recently released a build- ing report highlighting all building permits granted from April until the end of June 2015. It shows that construction is up by 103.6 per cent, compared to the same period in 2014. During that time period, the municipality issued 440 new residential housing unit permits as compared to 170 at the same time in 2014. These positive building permit numbers have increased the year-to-date construction value to 20.7 per cent higher than the same time last year with the majority of the percentage increase in industrial and commercial construction. Local infrastructure improvements Nearly $100 million has recently been, or will be, in- vested in local projects in the next two years. Approxi- mately $2 million was invested in the 400 m. extension of Lake Rd., located in the South Bowmanville Industrial Park. The project was complete in December 2014 and the new extension greatly improves the transportation network and public safety, as well as creating increased opportunity for development. The road extension increases accessibil- ity to more than 100 acres of serviced industrial land. Since the summer of 2014 CBOT has seen increased in- terest in these properties from several users needing prop- erty to accommodate more than 500,000 sq. ft. The extension of the Courtice sewer trunk is a $30 mil- lion project that will extend from Energy Dr. to Courtice Rd., and from Courtice Rd. to Bloor St. within a few years. This is a Region of Durham project that will improve