Belleville is setting “record numbers” in terms of its development so far in 2022.
The Quinte Economic Development Commission heard a report at its meeting Thursday that the value of building permits issued in May include almost $50 million of residential development.
The report by Karen Poste, the city’s Manager of Economic and Strategic Initiatives included the sale of more than 100 acres of land to Toro Limited, the fairgrounds relocation, and new small industrial lots that will be ready by 2024 2025.
Poste said a number of new residential developments are moving toward final approval.
“Companies want to be where they can attract the talent that they need. So they see Belleville as very well located in terms of our position close to the U.S. border, between Toronto and Montreal, Ottawa. That makes it very easy for them to attract the talent that they need.”
Poste added, “I cannot recall a busier time. The number of business expansions. The number of business enquiries. The number of new business startups. It’s overwhelming actually. It’s overwhelmingly positive for the city. Certainly we see that as one trend. Affordability, our lifestyle. All of those things seem to factdor into their decision and their attraction to Belleville.
She said, “And having land available. Absolutely having a product available that people want is always sort of the first box that gets checked. When they’re going through their list of things to consider. The fact that we have had good full serviced available land has certainly done us a lot of investments.”
