Getting ready for the Brownfields seminar are (seated, left to right): Thelma Gee, Senior Planner, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing; Betty de Haan, CAO/Clerk of South Stormont Township; and Ray Fenton, Deputy Mayor South Stormont Township. Standing (left to right): Chuck Charlebois Renaissance Group; Gerry Decoste, President of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce; and Bill Upper, Councillor, South Stormont Township.

A room full of local and rural politicians, senior government personnel and business people were at Quinn’s Inn in St. Andrews on Thursday, March 4th, 2004 to learn more about Brownfields redevelopment and what it can do for a community. Put on by the Township of South Stormont, the United Counties and the Renaissance Group, the Brownfields legislation was explained to those attending and how it relates to them. In Cornwall, the Brownfields legislation is helping to redevelop our waterfront by the old cotton mills area, under the direction of Chuck Charlebois of the Renaissance Group. By definition, “Brownfields are derelict, dysfunctional or under-used industrial and commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination. Despite the complexity of developing these properties they are often in desirable and strategic locations in the heart of urban communities, on scenic waterfronts or in or near downtowns.”

This Article originally appeared on the Seaway News web site.