Ground breaking announcement of the new Global Development Centre to be built at the Blenheim Industrial Park. September 2014. (Photo by Maureen Revait) Ground breaking announcement of the new Global Development Centre to be built at the Blenheim Industrial Park. September 2014. (Photo by Maureen Revait)
Chatham

Land Back On The Market

The sale of 34 acres of industrial land in Blenheim announced almost two years ago has fallen through and municipal officials are trying to find another buyer.

Although Brightenview Development International had announced plans for a $45-million Global Development Centre to house Chinese companies moving to Canada it only played for an option on the property.

South Chatham-Kent Councillor Trevor Thompson says there were problems with getting it going.

"The issue, as I understand it, goes back to the provincial nominee program and trying to get these folks into the country," he says. "There are some pretty high commitments in terms of language committment, at that point the deal wilted on the vine."

He says there may have been some lost opportunities because the land was off the market for some time.

"We have to go back to marketing it and as you know industrial land, or land of any type doesn't really move all that well in Chatham-Kent," Thompson adds.

Thompson says it would have been a better spot for another company that is building a facility nearby on the west side of Communication Rd. because it is going to require significant changes to roads in the area.

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