ecosystem addresses one of the most significant challenges facing rural and small-town Ontario: talent attraction and retention. By offering proximity to major educational institutions while maintaining its small-town affordability and quality of life, the town creates a compelling proposition for employers and skilled workers. LOOKING AHEAD: INFRASTRUCTURE PRIORITIES Despite Greater Napanee’s significant progress in building infrastructure capacity, town leadership recognizes that sustained growth requires continued investment and support from provincial and federal government partners.The municipality has identified specific areas where additional funding would generate the greatest impact for both community sustainability and economic development. “While we’re well-positioned with current and nearterm planned infrastructure, we need further funding from upper levels of government for infrastructure renewal projects in older areas of the municipality. This infrastructure is approaching the end of its useful life, and additional funding would position our municipality in a stable financial state to ensure these systems remain viable for community use and further growth,” Nobes outlines. This focus on renewing aging infrastructure aligns with challenges faced across Ontario, where many communities are grappling with deteriorating systems built during Canada’s post-war expansion. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities has identified an infrastructure deficit of more than $123 billion nationwide, with much of this concentrated in older water, sewer, and transportation systems. Transportation infrastructure represents another priority area for Greater Napanee and the County of Lennox & Addington. “We seek opportunities for funding of new higher-order roads within the municipality to accommodate the influx of growth in coming years. This, along with funding for repair, 13 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 04 GREATER NAPANEE, ON
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