The RM of Rockwood, Manitoba
Where Opportunity Drives Success
A municipality with a large geographical reach and the right mix of amenities to steer economic growth
Spanning 450 square miles, the Rural Municipality (RM) of Rockwood is a diverse blend of agricultural lands, quarries, aquaculture, and vibrant rural communities. Effortlessly combining small-town charm with strategic growth and innovation, the community preserves its traditions while setting its sights on the future, offering a unique combination of heritage and opportunity.
“What makes Rockwood so special and such a gem in the Manitoba landscape is that we are so diverse,” shares Reeve, Wes Taplin. “Our communities are second to none with that hometown feel, and we want everybody to come and experience us. We are putting ourselves on the map with the growth that we’ve been experiencing in the last couple of years.”
A Welcoming Legacy
Taplin underscores that what really makes the area stand out is the sense of community. He describes, “In Rockwood, you find a lot of century farms and a lot of family names that have been here for 100 years. The people that are in the community, they don’t leave, and they’re willing to accept newcomers and neighbors with open arms.”
With a population close to 10,000, the municipality is seven minutes from the city of Winnipeg, convenient for commuters and those seeking the benefits of a rural lifestyle. CAO Chris Luellman portrays, “A lot of people work in Winnipeg, but I’ve heard the comment many times, ‘Once you hit that perimeter, you finally relax.’ You feel like you’re home coming down the highway. It is that quality of life and community.”
A Plan for Growth
At the heart of Rockwood’s plans is Stony Mountain, a growing community poised for residential, commercial, and industrial development. “It’s had a lot of attention brought to it in the last five years, with developers wanting to expand and make it a regional service center. With Winnipeg growing so much, there has to be a place for the workers to reside, and we would like them to call Stony Mountain home,” Taplin conveys.
A new 1,700-door housing development featuring single-family homes, multi-family units, and affordable housing is at the forefront of the efforts, helping to bring more residential options to the region. This also includes a seniors complex which will introduce 50 suites, followed by a review to determine the need for an age in place facility adjacent to the complex.
“Basically, we’re trying to develop Stony Mountain as a complete community,” continues Luellman. “It’s got the opportunities to be developed with employment lands, commercial lands, and residential lands.” Along with proximity to Winnipeg, the Stony Mountain community will be eleven minutes from CenterPort, a large industrial development in Rosser.
“Rosser is not set up to accept new residential growth, so they are supporting us in our efforts to design housing for the workforce for CenterPort,” he adds. “With that, you can commute, or you can work within your community. It’s a great opportunity, and it’s location, location, location.”
The RM’s collaboration with developers, including Kenaston Development and Skylark Development, provide a well-rounded approach to growth. “As we speak, they’re in conversations with different business opportunities.
The RM of Rockwood is also in conversation with builders, commercial and industrial. We do have a few irons in the fire for industrial use, which I can’t mention right now because they are confidential at this point,” outlines Luellman. “There is opportunity, and this helps build on what we do have.”
Additionally, the municipality is investing in industrial space, with 146 acres already under development and an additional 215 acres planned for future use. Magellan Aerospace is one of Rockwood’s major industries. “They’ve been here for many decades, and this will be a compliment to their industrial park that they have themselves. Right now, it’s an open palette we are marketing from East Coast to West Coast for opportunities,” Luellman reports.
Investment in Infrastructure
To support these ambitious plans, Rockwood has invested $5.8 million into two lift stations and a force main, in collaboration with Taillieu Construction Ltd. The municipality has also embarked on a $5 million road project which included a $1 million investment from the Province of Manitoba. Luellman notes that this $7 million investment will eventually result in over $400 million in added assessment.
“That’s much needed revenue for the RM of Rockwood and our developers, so everybody will be winners and a success story. We call that a minor investment for a huge gain,” he asserts. “The RM of Rockwood is walking the talk. We are investing in our community, and we can foresee the definite payback in the end for quality of life for our residents, and that’s most important to us.”
As for connectivity, Rockwood is working with two fiber companies, RFNOW, and Valley Fiber, ensuring high speed capability throughout the community. Taplin recounts, “The whole intent was to be able to have anybody that wanted to be hooked to the Internet, whether they’re seven miles off a major line or not, to be able to have that capability.”
Attracting Innovation
The municipality is home to a thriving agricultural sector, quarries, and even aquaculture. Sitting on one of the largest aquifers in Manitoba, the RM of Rockwood is proud to be the new home to Sapphire Springs, a $145 million facility that will supply Arctic Char globally. Spanning 28 acres, this development is expected to create over 100 full-time jobs and 120 indirect positions.
A quote from the company states, “With our Rockwood facilities, Sapphire Springs aims to become a leader in sustainable agriculture, contributing to the long term viability of Canada’s seafood industry and enhancing our province’s reputation as a hub for innovation. We are grateful for our province’s support and are excited to contribute to the local economy while addressing the growing demand for healthy and sustainable protein.”
Embracing Tourism
Rockwood also offers a diverse selection of tourism opportunities. As the gateway to Manitoba’s Interlake region, the municipality boasts the Oak Hammock Marsh, home to Ducks Unlimited Canada’s national office. Local communities contribute their charm with unique landmarks, such as the mosquito statue in Komarno, the largest of its kind.
Luellman illustrates, “Many of our smaller communities have different weekend events that are interesting for people that don’t get out of the city much. Within our 450 square miles, we have six different pockets of urban- rural population, little villages, etc. Each community has their own identification.”
Plans are also underway to transform acres of depleted quarries into parks and trails throughout the community, adding to Rockwood’s tourism and outdoor recreation amenities. “We’re working with one quarry right now to rehab it into a future park,” Luellman details. “And we are developing a trail system between three communities, Stony Mountain, Stonewall, and the community of Balmoral, which is an old rail line bed. We were able to secure grant funding federally and provincially to do that project. We’re very proud of it.”
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, the RM of Rockwood is dedicated to balancing progress with a commitment to preserving its rural character. Luellman remarks, “We do have some growth points in a couple of our smaller communities that we’re watching. We call those our white picket fence communities, and we’re cautious to keep that value of rural living, so we’re not pushing the development within those communities.” Moving forward, he says his focus will be on the development in Stony Mountain. “It’s been a very quiet, methodical approach,” he relays.
“You don’t hear much about us because we have been cautious on how we push it, but we are prepared. The infrastructure is now just in the completion stages in Stony Mountain. We are bringing up the lift stations as we speak, the land is now for sale, and we are now marketing.”
As for his thoughts on what comes next for Rockwood, Taplin says, “I’m looking forward to seeing Stony Mountain grow, and the municipality of Rockwood grow and prosper. At the end of the day, all you want to do is make things better, and that’s what we’re on track to do.”
AT A GLANCE
The RM of Rockwood, Manitoba
What: A rural municipality embracing growth and development
Where: Manitoba, Canada
Website: www.rockwood.ca
PREFERRED VENDORS
Kenaston Development Projects Inc. – www.kenastondevelopment.com
Kenaston Development is a proud woman and indigenous-owned development corporation dedicated to creating sustainable and inclusive communities. Our mission is to ensure that each project we undertake enriches lives, fosters economic growth, and respects the land while meeting contemporary needs.
JR Cousin Consultants – www.jrcc.ca
JR Cousin Consultants Ltd. has been privileged to work with the RM of Rockwood on many successful projects, as they welcomed growth and development. JRCC, established in 1981, provides civil, municipal, and environmental engineering services for water and wastewater treatment, community, planning and development, roads, drainage, and solid waste management.
Grantham Law Offices – www.granthamlaw.ca
With over 40 years of experience, Grantham Law Offices specializes in municipal law, providing skilled legal counsel to municipalities throughout the region. Our deep understanding of municipal law and dedication to serving community needs make us a trusted partner for clients seeking practical and effective legal solutions.
Charison’s Turkey Hatchery • 204-886-2922
Charisons Turkey Hatchery located in Gunton, Manitoba was founded in 1952. The family operation continues today supplying day old turkey poults across Western Canada and into the Midwest United States.