NEW GLASGOW, N.S. — CLARIFICATION: The News has learned that The New Scotland Business Development Inc. is looking at various options for an entrance from East River Road. While a roundabout is one of the options being considered, it's not the only option.
Commercial real-estate development is a long game.
“It takes time to plant seeds, nurture relationships, and build trust among developers, industry professionals and stakeholders,” says Frank MacFarlane, business development officer for the Town of New Glasgow and Municipality of Pictou County.
Such is the case with the East River Business Park which has seen little development in the five years since the Municipality of Pictou County and Town of New Glasgow partnered to develop it in 2014.
But with any luck, MacFarlane expects that to change over the course of the next year, with potential buyers who are looking at purchasing a combined total of seven acres of the 17 acres available.
“It’s satisfying to me to experience the level of interest we are now seeing at East River Business Park,” said MacFarlane.
At least two of those proposed deals, however, are contingent on having access to the business park from East River Road.
“We’re doing all our due diligence and making sure we expedite this as quickly as possible,” he said. “The business park can’t be successful or even a viable option until you have access to it.”
Currently, the park can only be accessed from Park Street in New Glasgow.
The municipalities are currently planning an entrance from East River Road to address the problem. A design for a potential round-a-bout has already been completed by an engineering firm, but The New Scotland Business Development Inc., the corporation created to manage the park is also exploring other options for an entrance other than a roundabout.
Construction is expected to happen next spring or summer.
The proposed spot for the East River Road entrance to the business park is just before New Glasgow town limits. Already, a paved road inside the park ends just a short distance from East River Road. The park is also fully serviced with water and sewer as well as natural gas.
MacFarlane said it’s important to make the investment and have the infrastructure ready ahead of time, so potential buyers won’t have to wait.
In the end, he said the municipalities’ main goal is not to make money selling land but from the spinoffs.
“The main objective is to make this region more economically viable and create an opportunity for people to develop here or start their business or grow their business here and for people to move here. It’s not just about selling land. It’s the bigger picture.”
