Renfrew County ON

I’ve seen at least two homes in Renfrew go for above asking price,” he adds, highlighting the ubiquity of this trend across the county. The scarcity of affordable housing has a direct impact on the local workforce. “Business owners regularly express concerns about losing employees who cannot find affordable housing near their workplaces,” Emon explains. This issue not only affects the retention of current employees but also complicates the recruitment of new talent, which is essential for sustaining economic growth. To address the housing shortfall, Emon discusses collaborative regional efforts for substantial housing development.“We’re part of a coalition across Eastern Ontario, targeting the creation of 7,000 homes over seven years,” he reveals. This initiative, known as the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus, which Emon chairs, has garnered support from various sectors, including a partnership with the Ontario Home Builders Association. The strategy involves leveraging both public and private resources. “Our approach includes offering land packages and connecting new developments to municipal services, which incentivizes private developers to build both market-rate and rent- geared-to-income units,” Emon details. This collaborative framework is designed to facilitate the construction of 28,000 homes, blending market- rate units with more affordable housing options to create diverse, inclusive communities. EXPANDING INFRASTRUCTURE IN RENFREW COUNTY As Renfrew County thrives and its population increases, addressing infrastructure needs becomes imperative to ensure that growth does not outpace its ability to serve its residents and businesses. Emon discusses several significant projects aimed at improving roadways and expanding digital connectivity, which are essential for sustaining the region’s expansion and enhancing the quality of life for its residents. “In 2010, we initiated a major project to lay fiber throughout Eastern Ontario, vastly improving broadband access. However, the demand has since Photo Credit: Ottawa Valley Tourist Association 4 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 05 BUSINESS VIEW AGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 01