Site development work is set to begin in the Spring of 2026 for a new industrial park in Wendover.
An update on the project was presented to Alfred and Plantagenet council on Tuesday, October 7.
According to the report presented by Chief Administrative Officer Michel Potvin, although the subdivision plan is not yet finalized, the township wants to negotiate non-binding letters of intent (promises to purchase) with the various parties interested in purchasing lots. Once the plan of subdivision is finalized and registered, the township will then be able to sign formal agreements of purchase and sale with the contractors who have entered into promises to purchase. A policy involving the purchase and sale of lots will be adopted at a future council meeting.
The Wendover Industrial Park will be approximately 28.5 acres in size and will consist of 20 lots ranging in size from 0.88 to 1.31 acres. The site is at the intersection of County Roads 17 and 19. The industrial park will be served by municipal water and sewer services, three-phase hydro, natural gas, and high-speed, fibre-optic internet.
In addition to approving the policy governing land sales, the next immediate steps in the development of the Wendover Industrial Park are acquiring a strip of land for widening the access road to the industrial park, signing letters of intent for lot reservations, and submission of the draft plan of subdivision to the United Counties of Prescott-Russell for approval.
Establishing an industrial park is costing the township about $4 million. It plans to apply to the federal Eastern Ontario Development Fund – Community Economic Development Projects component for grant funding.
From January to March 2026, the township intends to call for tenders to hire a contractor for site development and sign agreements of purchase and sale with various businesses. Site work is to begin in the Spring of 2026.
“Do we have any idea how many are sold right now?” asked Councillor Ian Walker.
Potvin said no actual land sales are possible until the plan of subdivision is approved and registered.
“We’ve been talking with some would-be purchasers for quite some time now,” Potvin said.
“We have a list of about 25 prospective purchasers,” he added.
Potvin said many of the possible purchasers of land in the new Wendover Industrial Park are local businesses looking to expand.
