Province officially announces more than $7.6 million in funding support for Nackawic-Millville housing development to begin this fall
The smiles were almost as bright as the sunshine on Friday, July 19, as provincial and Nackawic-Millville officials gathered on the waterfront to officially announce millions in funding support for the rural community’s ambitious mixed residential development.
The Rural Development Corporation officially committed nearly $7.7 million to constructing roads, water, sewers, and green spaces for the new development. Over two phases, it will provide more than 260 new residential homes in the heart of Nackawic.
Carleton-York MLA and Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Richard Ames represented the province at the announcement, which was held under the shadow of Nackawic’s iconic big axe. He spoke on behalf of Indigenous Affairs Minister Réjean Savoie, the minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation.
“We are addressing the housing challenge by investing in infrastructure that will support new housing development in communities across the province,” said Ames. “I am very pleased to announce that Nackawic-Millville will be able to take the next steps in a much-needed mixed residential housing development with our government’s support.”
Nackawic-Millville Deputy Mayor Greg MacFarlane, a board member of the Destination Nackawic Development Corporation, served as master of ceremonies for the announcement.
He began by providing a brief history of the long journey leading to shovels in the ground this fall, touching on almost a decade of important milestones.
“We’ve learned a lot and we’re stronger today than we’ve ever been,” said MacFarlane.
He said he discovered eight years ago when he joined the Nackawic council, the vital need to grow the town’s tax base, which included expanding the population and the economy.
MacFarlane said the town took a giant step five years ago when it established the Destination Nackawic Economic Development Corporation, an active agency rarely found outside major New Brunswick cities.
Destination Nackawic’s first significant project was the successful development of the Nackawic Marina on the waterfront.
At the same time, MacFarlane explained, the corporation reached out to stakeholders to determine the community’s long-term needs. He recalled then-councillor Gail Farnsworth citing the need for affordable housing.
Three years ago, following the competition of the marina, MacFarlane said Destination Nackawic turned its focus to housing. It hired Gemtec to conduct a feasibility study about turning an undeveloped portion of town-owned land into a mixed residential development.
“We didn’t really know how we were going to get it done, but we believed we could get it done,” he said.
MacFarlane said that two years ago, the formation of the Nackawic-Millville Rural Community brought with it Mayor Tim Fox and a forward-looking council that shared Destination Nackawic’s vision.
Last year, Gemtec returned with a report determining a feasible and viable project, convincing the province and other partners to jump on board.
MacFarlane explained the newly created N.B. Housing Hub played a vital role in making the residential project possible. Noting small communities like Nackawic-Millville lack the staff to take on projects of this size, he said the Housing Hub serves as the project manager.
“We needed a partner and we found it with the Housing Hub,” he said.
MacFarlane praised Mayor Fox and Ames’s leadership efforts, noting that they’ve talked often to keep the momentum rolling.
Fox echoed the deputy mayor’s praise of Destination Nackawic and council members.
“I got the best council in the River Valley and probably the province,” he said.
Fox stressed the historic nature of Friday’s announcement, noting it marked the most significant infrastructure funding amount in the community’s history and the largest economic growth initiative since Nackawic was built.
“Part of our community economic development strategy is to create opportunities for population and tax base growth,” said Fox. “We are proud of the work done by our Destination Nackawic Economic Development Corporation to spearhead this initiative, and we are so thankful for our partnerships with Housing Hub of New Brunswick, Gemtec, and for the New Brunswick government for their support of this important project.”
Fox said successful expansion must meet two demands simultaneously: economic and population growth.
MacFarlane cited local manufacturer CORE Panel & Truss as an example of how housing and business expansion complete a full circle. He explained that the Nackawic-based business relies on an export market but wants to expand to meet a broader demand for both domestic and export markets.
However, he explained, Nackawic-Millville lacks housing options for its growing employee base, hindering expansion.
MacFarlane said the company recently began manufacturing modular homes. Not only would the housing development provide a market for the homes, but the homes would provide a residential option for employees.
Fox estimated the residential project could increase the rural community’s tax base by $25 million, meaning an eight-to-10 percent increase in tax revenue.
“That’s a big step,” he said.
MacFarlane said Phase 1 of the project would include 100 residences, which he called “doors,” explaining that it would consist of apartment buildings, townhouses, and modular homes. Phase 2 would add another 160 “doors”
MacFarlane said 40 per cent of both phases must meet “affordable” requirements.
He said the project enjoys investment from three levels of government, the private sector, nonprofits, and co-ops.
He said shovels will be in the ground this fall, with building construction beginning next year.
“A year from today, I hope you’re interviewing us with our first homes being built,” MacFarlane said.