March 2017 | Business View Magazine

166 167 Amherstburg, Ontario its infrastructure and keeping its development charges low. “We’re trying to increase our pop- ulation,” he states. “We’re positioning ourself to be not only a tourist attraction, but a pretty sig- nificant bedroom community in the region.We have one of the lowest development charges in the entire region, and we have a significant amount of water and sewage capacity in our municipality that allows for development to occur.” He adds that the town is in the process of installing a sewer force main in the Kings- bridge subdivision, which will accommodate an additional 800 lots. “And, in the center of town, we’re looking at adding some main infrastruc- ture to allow an additional 1,500 lots to come on stream.” In touting Amherstburg’s advantages, Miceli points to a significant number of amenities that many other communities of similar size don’t have. “We have a state-of-the-art, LEED-certi- fied, multi-purpose recreational facility with two ice pads and indoor soccer,” he states. “We also have the only Miracle League diamond in Windsor-Essex. So, we’ve positioned ourselves to offer our residents, and future residents, some pretty amazing amenities, and now we’re doing all the additional work to provide infra- structure capabilities for those to occur.” Finally, Amherstburg also has Boblo Island, one of Canada’s most unique residential com- munities. Boblo Island, or Bois Blanc Island, is a 271-acre tract on the Canadian side of the Detroit River. The island had strategic impor- tance when Fort Amherstburg was built in 1796 z Locally owned and operated z Multi-award winning company z Quality craftsmanship and service z Flexible in designs and locations Amherstburg’s premier builder since 1988 www.norbuilt.com to guard passage along the Detroit River after Detroit was turned over to the Americans. Guns from the fort could reach the island across the navigable waters and hence secured the river. Between 1898 and 1993, Boblo Island was the home of the Boblo Island Amusement Park, and today it boasts deluxe houses and condominiums whose residents and visitors are served by a private ferry. “There’s a devel- opment (the Boblo Island and Marina Resort Community) that hopefully will be proceeding next year for an additional 180 lots on the island,” says Miceli. Voted as the “2015 People’s Choice Winner –Great Places in Canada,”Amherstburg also hosts many festivals, including: the Heritage Festival every August with re-enactors depict- ing eras ranging from the Roman Empire to the Second World War; the Shores of Erie Wine Festival each September, featuring food, danc- ing, live entertainment, and wine tasting; Art by the River, a two-day arts and crafts festival held each weekend before Labor Day; and the celebration of Canada Day with fireworks and family activities, held each July 1st. So, for tourists and residents alike, Amher- stburg, Ontario is a Canadian destination of choice. Preferred vendor n Nor-Built Construction www.norbuilt.com