The president and CEO of John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport has said he is "very pleased" Hamilton City Council has backed the long awaited development of a 830-hectare aerotropolis around the gateway which is expected to create thousands of local jobs.
In a statement Richard Koroscil said last week's 13-2 vote by Hamilton City Council in favour of creating the Airport Employment Growth District (AEGD) was the culmination of many years of strategic and detailed planning work and the first step to realising the full economic and employment benefit the lands can bring to Hamilton and the surrounding region.
"I'd like to thank all of the business and community supporters whose efforts have been invaluable in reaching this point. The AEGD, once developed, will create thousands of new jobs in the area and will bring in estimated annual tax revenue of $52 million."
Developed on Greenfield land ringed to the north by the Chedoke Highway, the areotropolis will attract freight companies wishing to take advantage of the multi-modal cargo capabilities at the airport.
An estimated 45% of the development will consist of wholesale trade and transportation warehousing, 15% retail, accommodation and food services and 8% manufacturing.
The result of city official's efforts to hit provincial government targets to create 270,000 additional jobs by 2031, the AEGD is expected to help reduce the city's unemployment rate of 7.7% and make Hamilton more attractive to new investment.
However, the AEGD continues to draw criticism from environmental and protest groups who argue it will cut agricultural land and endanger food supplies.
On Sunday October 10 members of the Hamilton 350 Committee, dressed as carrots and planted garlic on areotropolis lands to highlight loss of Greenfield lands and climate change.
The Hamilton City Council insists the development will be sustainable with areas of "significant natural heritage" wetlands, mature trees and forests protected and construction conforming to high environmental standards.
By Oliver Clark
Source: Hamilton City Council.
