It's now all systems go for phase three of the Riel industrial Park in Ste Agathe.

The announcement was made Thursday morning and Shaun Crew, Chairman of the Park, says the project consists of 25 new lots, five of them highway commercial lots and 20 light industrial lots. 

"We've budgeted the project at $1,800,000 to put in the infrastructure needed in terms of water and sewer lines, roads and ditches and fire hydrants. We're excited that, come the spring of 2018, we'll be in a position to really go at the selling of these lots. Right now we've got five pre-sold and interest in probably another five at the moment so possibly half of the lots are already spoken for." 

Shaun Crew explaining phase three of the Riel Industrial Park

Crew notes funding for phase three of the project came primarily from phase one and two but says they had to take out a mortgage for the remainder. Crew adds a big part of this project is creating jobs.

"To date, just the businesses that are here in the park right now, have generated around 125 new jobs in the community. The expectation is that will more than double when the balance of these new lots are sold. We're expecting well over 250 jobs created locally here just from this small industrial park."

Crew says many of these businesses are new to the Ste Agathe area which he adds will bring in more people from outside the community. He notes these are new jobs, more people will come in which, in the end, will sell new homes. Crew further explains how the new business park is a big boost for the local economy.

"When you bring business, you bring jobs and when you bring jobs you're bringing people to the community. Whether they're coming now and buying a home here in Ste Agathe or just creating jobs there's always a multiple spin-off. With the Flying J coming in now into Ste Agathe, that's going to make this a real trucking hub and we see the opportunity to be marketing lots to particularly the trucking industry, again, because we're right here on the mid-continental trade corridor (Highway 75) here in Ste Agathe.   

Crew anticipates all the lots in the Riel Industrial Park will be occupied within the next five years.   

Riel Industrial Park - Phase three outlined in red