Town Breaks Ground on Innovation Park

Mayor Luke Charbonneau officially began the construction of the Town’s new Innovation Park, an area set up to attract clean energy businesses by capitalizing on the area’s existing knowledge base.

The Mayor ceremonially turned a piece of earth at the site along Concession 6, south of Port Elgin, alongside fellow Council members, staff and the project’s construction firm.

"Through this investment, Saugeen Shores is taking a major step to seize our potential as a hub for innovative business in our region." said Charbonneau. “Our community combines world class economic opportunity with an unparalleled quality of life. That’s why close to 20 clean energy organizations have already chosen Saugeen Shores and it’s why we will attract many, many more.”

When completed, the park will feature 17 lots spread over 23 acres of employment land.  The Town is reaching out to new and existing businesses at the heart of the clean energy industry – nuclear, hydrogen, solar – as well as the technology and research to go with it.  The goal is to offer up a campus where these businesses will not only thrive but will also collaborate and build next generation technologies together.

The Town will connect the site to essential underground infrastructure – water, hydro and internet – while offering a suite of municipal incentives to help businesses and organizations establish themselves in the park.

The Town expects the park to be build-ready by September 2023.

Pictured (from L to R): Mark Paoli, Director of Development Services; Ruhul Amin, Manager, Engineering; Kara Van Myall, Chief Administrative Officer; David Myette, Saugeen Ward Councillor; Mike Myatt, Vice Deputy Mayor; Mayor Luke Charbonneau; Heather Hyde, Economic Development Officer; Travis Burnside, Cobide Engineering; Len Purdue & Jayson Long, Cedarwell Excavating.