Civil Municipal - June 2024

Mayor Brant Burrow describes, “As you drive out of Brockville and start heading north, it’s sort of difficult to discern exactly where the border is. But over two or three minutes of driving, you realize that something has changed, yet it’s still fairly densely populated. And then it just gradually thins out and thins out as you head north.” Along with spectacular scenery and open spaces, the township also features several small hamlets and a range of outdoor recreational amenities, including its beloved summer swim program at a natural swimming hole, a nostalgic and cherished local attraction that has drawn families for over 50 years. COMMUNITY AND COMMERCIAL GROWTH Leslie Drynan, Township Administrator and Clerk oversees economic development initiatives in consultation with the township’s economic development committee. Highlighting the importance of small businesses, Drynan says, “We don’t have a lot of chain-type developments. We have a lot of small trade construction, plumbing, HVAC, and then a lot of home businesses related to crafting, agriculture, preserves, the farming industry, and baking.” “We have a fairly active artisan community as well,” adds Mayor Burrow, sharing that local shops like Kitley Grocery and Chit Chat Convenience are also integral parts of the community. “Kitley Grocery is a real hub. It’s a gas station, it’s a grocery store, it’s a deli counter, and they have an LCBO agency there now,” he portrays. “And just a couple of years ago, a convenience store opened in another large hamlet called Lyn. They offer ice creams, they just got a pizza oven, and they did a tree lighting this Christmas. So, we’re seeing a lot of personality come back to some of our Hamlets. There seems to be a little bit of a resurgence and renaissance going on.” A significant commercial asset is the township’s 100- acre business park which primarily serves small and medium enterprises, due to its reliance on well and septic systems. “Although we colloquially refer to it as our industrial park, it’s not like we have heavy manufacturing there. We have one or two large operations. But certainly, that’s a feature of our inventory,” says Burrow. He notes that the business park was utilizing only half of its capacity until three 45 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 06 EL IZABETHTOWN-KI TLEY, ON