The Municipality of South Bruce is looking at a brighter future despite the loss of the brewery in Formosa.
Mayor Robert Buckle says he is very disappointed that the brewery that opened in 1870, closed this month, and will no longer be Formosa's major employer.
Brick brewed its last beer in Formosa earlier this month, and Buckle says they hope to be able to bring in a new owner.
"We are hopeful that some other micro brewery might buy it, but with a lot of these older buildings in these small towns, by the time they change it over to suit what they need it for, sometimes it's just cheaper to go ahead and build a brand new building," says Buckle.
However, Bruce Power supplier, Kinectrics, has purchased nine acres of industrial property in the community of Teeswater for a 40,000 sq ft facility.
"We have the driveway put into the property, and they are now doing their site control plan agreement. They expect to have the 40,000 sq ft building up and finished by the end of the year. And there should employees and all that working in there by next spring," he adds.
Kinectrics also has plans to expand in the future.
Buckle is also excited to see the expansion of Gay Lea get underway
He says new employment is key in revitalizing the main street and attracting new businesses downtown
"If you don't have the people in the community, then it's very hard for a small business to support itself when you don't have the traffic, and the only way you get that traffic is by getting more jobs in the community," Buckle explains.
The $60-million Gay Lea expansion ensures the future of 85 jobs and will add 20 more.