Growing spurt

The Wabush Industrial park is filled to capacity. Council approved the last developments in last Tuesday's meeting and there is no more land left.

There are a number of large developments underway in the industrial park that will see significant structures being erected by businesses such as: Capital Crane, Hewitt Caterpillar, Fitz Enterprise/Rona (two buildings) and a large building that will be renting five individual spaces.

A new cement and asphalt building is also being constructed, and, it's all good news to Wabush mayor Ron Barron.

"We've always talked about how our town needs more money and this is how we will generate more funds for the town," he said of the injection to the business tax base. "Yes, this will mean a significant increase to our tax base when the buildings are done. For instance if you put up a 70,000-square-ft. building, that's a fair chunk of taxes that will be paid in the run of the year."

Any development, he said, is welcomed and this is the most growth the town has seen in a number of years; but it's not over yet.

"We are at a point now where we are inundated with calls looking for land, for business and for residential too," he added. "Numerous people are inquiring, so we have no choice but to expand."

There is no shortage of land for the town, as it has better than 40 (unserviced) acres available

"We are in the process of getting some surveying done and seeking funding to expand our industrial park," said Barron. "We would like to see development started next summer on the expansion. It's our land. We are going to develop (I believe) from First Street right over to the Wabush Mines turn-off and there is about 42 to 48 acres there we've identified. So potentially, looking at one-acre lots, that will mean 42 to 48 new businesses."

Barron said the demand for land and space is just too great to ignore.

"We have to keep up with the expansions and growth that are happening here in the mining industry and companies are just crying for space," he said. "The nature of our industry is boom or bust and it's a big undertaking to go in and developed over 40 acres in an industrial area-not sure yet what the cost is until we have the surveying done to see exactly what we have. But like I said, we have no choice but to expand, we haven't got anything available."

The Town will hire a consultant to do the estimates on what's involved in the expansion and Council will look at ways of achieving the development of the land without burdening its taxpayers.

"When it comes to the water and sewer, and the roads that need to be put in, the cost may go to the developers," Barron said. "Now, we may end up doing it ourselves and we will check into what funding is available for that. We are going to be looking at every means so it doesn't cost the taxpayers. Ultimately, the goal is, when this is all said and done, it won't cost taxpayers one cent. If people [companies] want to come here to do business, they are going to have to pay to do that business. It's as simple as that."