Municipality of Brockton, ON

A Rural Hub with a Plan for Progress

A Bruce County Community Leveraging Its Economic Strengths and Forward-Looking Leadership to Ensure Long-Term Growth.

Brockton, Ontario, defies the stereotype of a static rural community. Beyond its picturesque facade lies a dynamic municipality executing a deliberate and strategic growth plan.

The foundation of this success is a remarkably diverse and resilient mixed economy, a point Mayor Chris Peabody is quick to emphasize. “What differentiates us from other towns in the region is that we have a very strong mixed economy,” he says.

This robust economic base, combining agriculture, small manufacturing, and high-value nuclear sector employment, provides the stability from which ambitious projects in housing, infrastructure, and commercial development can flourish.

Leading this charge are Mayor Peabody and Chief Administrative Officer Sonya Watson, a leadership team championing an aggressive yet pragmatic approach to expansion. From securing multi-million dollar federal grants to implementing innovative infrastructure solutions, their efforts are positioning Brockton not merely to grow, but to thrive.

A Diversified Economic Portfolio

Brockton’s economic strength lies in its deliberate diversification, creating a stable and attractive environment for investment. The municipality is an agricultural leader in the region. “The agricultural economy in Brockton has the most GDP and revenue of any of the communities in all of Grey and Bruce,” says Peabody, attributing this to a strong livestock sector.

“Even in a down year,” he notes, “our building permits in the agricultural sector for sheds and new barns consistently deliver added value to our assessment base.”

This robust agri-base is complemented by a resilient manufacturing sector. Companies like Price Schonstrom, a specialized welder of stainless steel pressure vessels, are not just surviving but thriving.

“We thought with the tariffs, they might see a downturn in their business,” notes Peabody, “but instead, because of the pressure on Canadians to buy Canadian, their order sheet is filled.”

The company is executing a major expansion, purchasing eight acres in the business park and planning to hire 25 new workers. To solve labor challenges, it has successfully tapped into immigrant talent, bringing in workers from Ukraine and Mexico.

Further bolstering the local economy is the presence of Bruce Power, the world’s largest nuclear power plant, located 50 kilometers away. “7% of our workforce is employed there,” says Peabody. While a smaller percentage than agriculture, these high-value salaries “really augment our local economy,” he adds.

A key differentiator for attracting and retaining families is educational choice. Brockton is “one of the only towns in rural Ontario to have two high schools,” says Peabody, providing a significant advantage for parents considering a move to the area. This diverse economic and social foundation provides a stable platform for sustained growth.

A Thriving and Adaptive Downtown Core

The health of Brockton’s downtown core in Walkerton serves as a real-time barometer of its overall economic vitality. While some cycling of businesses occurs, vacancy is not a persistent issue. “We had two stores leave and they’re already filled,” states Peabody. A new multi-chair barbershop is moving in, a service he notes had “disappeared from most downtowns for quite a few years,” alongside a newly expanded women’s clothing store.

This resilience stems from a deliberate “working downtown” model. Unlike tourist-centric cores, Brockton’s center offers a practical and appealing mix. “We have a hardware store, a butcher, and we have some excellent restaurants,” Peabody explains. “As downtowns go, we have a great mix… it’s also a very thriving, working downtown.” This diversity ensures steady local patronage.

Brockton’s success is fiercely protected. The municipality’s innovative approach to the Durham Street Bridge repair, fixing one lane at a time to avoid a two-year shutdown, exemplifies this commitment. “I think it’s very important to support your downtown and find alternative solutions,” the Mayor asserts. “Once you lose those entrepreneurs, it’s hard to get back.”

Looking to the future, the focus is on enhancement. CAO Sonya Watson confirms the municipality is “always looking at community improvements each year,” actively seeking grants for downtown beautification. A major catalyst is the upcoming 2026 Walkerton Homecoming, the community’s 155th anniversary. “It’s a cherished time for those who have left the community to come back, meet with their neighbors, friends, and family,” Watson explains, noting the event will feature family-friendly activities, sporting events and fundraising that reinvests dollars directly back into the community.

Building for the Future

Brockton is backing its economic confidence with substantial capital investment and strategic planning, directly addressing the foundations of growth from housing, commercial space, and enabling infrastructure.

Housing Acceleration

Brockton’s staff secured a significant competitive advantage by successfully accessing the federal Housing Accelerator Fund. “We’re one of the only small towns in rural Ontario to get up to $3.4 million to incentivize builders,” says Peabody. This fund is already translating into tangible projects, with a 65-unit apartment building and a 40-unit non-profit affordable housing project underway.

“In the next year, we’ve got 104 units alone coming on the rental market, which will appeal to all income groups,” Peabody states, expressing pride in this inclusive approach. These projects represent significant progress toward the municipality’s ambitious target of building 400 new housing units within four years, putting them approximately a third of the way to their goal.

The East Ridge Business Park

The East Ridge Business Park is the physical epicenter of Brockton’s growth strategy, embodying a mixed-use vision. The area is seeing simultaneous investment in housing, industry, and commercial services. Key developments include a $13 million training centre for the LiUNA laborers union, the expansion of Price Schonstrom, and a recently completed addition to the Best Western, featuring an innovative “At Home” concept with kitchenettes, directly targeting transient workers.

Anticipating future demand, the municipality proactively expanded its official plan to add 220 acres of land that is easily serviced. “We are aggressive with our planning goals,” notes Peabody. This expansion ensures a long-term inventory of land available for commercial and residential lots, maintaining a level playing field for future growth.

Infrastructure Management

Brockton’s approach to infrastructure is both pragmatic and proactive. To power its expansion, the municipality is constructing a new $2 million hydro substation in partnership with Westario Power. “We actually needed additional hydro to keep growing at the rate we’re going,” Watson explains.

This focus on enabling infrastructure is part of a broader, aggressive strategy. Watson confirms the municipality is actively applying for grants for “community amenities, such as upgrades to our ballpark,” and critical water system upgrades to support the ongoing housing and development surge.

Quality of Life as an Economic Driver

Brockton strategically leverages its recreational assets and tourism offerings to enhance resident retention and attract a skilled workforce, while deliberately avoiding the pitfalls of overdevelopment.

The municipality’s soccer complex is a standout success. “It’s excellent,” says Watson. “We’re hosting a lot of tournaments with families coming from across the region.” The facility’s popularity is such that the municipality has already redesigned its parking area to alleviate congestion, demonstrating its commitment to maintaining high-quality amenities.

In tourism, Brockton pursues a model of sustainable, manageable growth. Its riverside campground is experiencing “steady growth,” serving as an alternative for visitors when the Bruce Peninsula is “just jammed,” Peabody explains.

The municipality also fosters unique heritage experiences, such as the popular Cargill bootlegging tours, “which are always sold out,” he adds. These niche attractions have a catalytic effect, spurring the development of auxiliary businesses like the Mill Pond Gallery and Café in Cargill.

World-class fly fishing on the Saugeen River further adds to the area’s appeal. Crucially, the leadership is mindful of scale. “We want to promote the area and create economic activity,” says Peabody, “but once you hit an overtourism peak, then you start having extra costs in terms of traffic congestion and emergency services.” This balanced approach ensures that tourism supports the local economy without compromising community harmony or straining municipal resources.

Looking Forward

Brockton’s trajectory is not left to chance, it is driven by a clear and aggressive strategy centered on proactive planning, relentless pursuit of funding, and active newcomer attraction.

Leadership’s commitment to creating a “level playing field” is a recurring theme. Peabody emphasizes that they refuse to be constrained by the plans of neighboring municipalities or upper-tier governments. “I don’t want to be constricted by provincial or county policy,” he states, highlighting the successful fight to expand the settlement area as a testament to this tenacious mindset. “My staff really took that vision and we implemented it and we were able to set the community up for growth.”

Central to this growth is attracting people to power it. Newcomer initiatives are a priority, and Peabody personally engages with potential residents, meeting with buses of individuals looking to leave the GTA. He leverages his own experience as a powerful recruitment tool. “I like telling them, I was a newcomer to the area and now I’m Mayor,” he says. “You too, can come to Brockton where the future is bright.”

This confident outlook is underpinned by a culture of execution. From securing multi-million dollar grants to implementing pragmatic infrastructure solutions, Brockton demonstrates a proven ability to turn plans into reality, positioning the municipality as a compelling model for rural investment and development.

AT A GLANCE

Who: Municipality of Brockton, Ontario

What: A rural municipality leveraging a mixed economy, strategic expansion, and aggressive grant funding to fuel sustainable growth.

Where: Bruce County, Ontario

Website: www.brockton.ca