It’s been an extraordinary year -- in Brockton, and around the world. A year that has united us, while keeping us physically apart due to the urgency of the COVID-19 pandemic.
There is light at the end of the tunnel, with immunization programs under way at hospitals across Ontario.
We as a community have stood together during this pandemic, showing great resilience, ingenuity and support for each other. Businesses have pivoted and risen to the challenge, doing their best to stay open, do business in new ways and keep their staff employed wherever possible.
There is much to be proud of, and grateful for, as we head into a new year in Brockton.
Our accomplishments in 2020 include:
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Growth in the number of new or expanded businesses in downtown Walkerton. Congratulations to
- Axe & Gear Music
- Arborvitae Holistic Apothecary
- The Walkerton Technology Centre
- The Guest House
- La 'Dels Cafe
- All Natural Soap Company
- Willow Home
- Fish Tales and Story Trails
- Her Story
- Monique Spa
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Expansion of the Brockton Child Care Centre
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Business milestones including the 75th anniversary of MacDuff Motors, the 25th year of Prestige Contracting, 20 years for Kisses Lifeology, and the 15th anniversary of Tranquility Spa. Congratulations to all!
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Opening of the Durham Street Park in downtown Walkerton, thanks in part to a donation from the Wong family, who ran a Chinese restaurant next door for many years.
- A very successful new event, Walkerton’s Hometown Christmas Market, by the Walkerton BIA.
- Close to 200 building permits issued by the Municipality in 2020, for about 70 new homes.
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Five housing developments under construction, representing about 300 new units to help meet the growing demand. COIVD-19 has resulted in more people working from home and a surge in interest from urban dwellers looking to move to communities such as Brockton, offering a different, and in our opinion better, quality of life.
- A record number of Walkerton Dollars issued by the Walkerton BIA, demonstrating great devotion to local shops by people in Brockton. Many of our larger businesses purchased Walkerton Dollars for their employees, in lieu of hosting Christmas parties, due to the pandemic.
- The long-term lease of the former Energizer factory, with a new company preparing to start operations in early 2021.
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Continued growth of the East Ridge Business Park, with Phase 2 development well underway.
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The arrival of high-speed Internet to rural Brockton, thanks to the SWIFT high-fibre network
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Partial removal of the Truax Dam, which will assist the Saugeen River ecosystem.
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The Walkerton Clean Water Legacy Fund, a new bursary program launched on the 20th anniversary of the Walkerton e-coli tragedy. Over $16,000 has been already committed to the fund by local businesses, charities and individuals, which will assist local students pursuing careers in environmental studies and clean water management.
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Natural gas: now more than just a pipedream, as we await word from the Ontario Energy Board on applications to make it available in Brockton.
Please enjoy the rest of your holiday time with family, sticking to your immediate household and checking in on neighbours that are elderly or living alone.
We will continue to be “in this together,” in true Brockton style, whatever the future may hold. Here’s to a healthy, happy and prosperous 2021.
