Civil Municipal - Feb 2024

Additionally, a significant road rehabilitation project by Cavanaugh Construction was carried out around one of our significant lakes. He explains, “That was completed in 2021, and it was the replacement of the hard surface of the road to a double surface treatment. The length of the road was approximately seven kilometers. So that was a pretty success.” On the waterside, Cleroux relays that a large investment was made towards the completion of a newwastewater treatment plant in Cobden, and a $2 million project to optimize the Beachburg plant is on the horizon with the help of government funding. “$1.5 million is funded by the federal and provincial government through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP). That’s a major, major project in the township to renew our aging water plant. It is a very good news story,” he highlights. ECONOMIC GROWTH AND TOURISM Over the past five years, Whitewater Region has actively pursued economic development initiatives to bolster various local industries, including tourism, agriculture, industrial, professional, and retail sectors. In 2020, the township brought in an outside consulting firm and initiated a Growth Readiness Action Plan “We interviewed local stakeholders, from business owners, council, staff, and residents to try to gauge what municipally led initiatives the township can undertake to support growth in our community,” says Burton. “The outcome of this is that we received a series of action items that were recommended to move forward with.We’ve since applied for funding through the Rural Economic Development (RED) program, to prepare a marketing strategy and promotion.” With this in mind, Whitewater Region is currently working with another firm to market the community, showcasing all of the advantages and amenities that make the township an ideal place to live, work, and play. The township’s robust tourism sector centers around whitewater activities, including rafting and kayaking, and the Whitewater Region is home to companies that draw water sport enthusiasts, including Wilderness Tours and OWL Rafting. The township is also home to Logos Land Resort, Roaring Rivers Waterpark, and Oaks of Cobden, a prominent 18- hole golf course, all owned by Summerhill Resorts. The camping and cottage life is another draw to the Whitewater Region during the summer months.“We do have quite a few campgrounds,” acknowledges Mayor Nicholson. “That tourism part in Whitewater is pretty strong.” The Whitewater Region has also been experiencing significant economic growth, evidenced by the addition of industries such as GlassHouse Botanics in the community. “They are a cannabis growing company that’s continuing to ship internationally. They are a recent addition to the township and are doing very well,” Burton describes. Another agricultural enterprise, MacEwan Agricentre, has expanded its grain handling capacity. Magellan Aerospace, a global company providing integrated products to the aerospace industry is Whitewater Region’s primary employer. The township is witnessing an increase in employment 131 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 5, ISSUE 02 WHI TEWATER REGION, ON