Ben Doornekamp addressing Hastings County council on the marine port project at Picton harbour. (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
A major expansion is being planned for the marine port capacity in Picton harbour.
ABNA Investments spokesman Ben Doornekamp told Hastings County council Thursday that the marine terminal is the cost effective way to get bulk goods to the global market via the St. Lawrence Seaway.
The company has already invested $10 million in the project and is seeking $10 million in government support for two huge cranes to get underway next year.
He says local operations, such as Anderson Farms, can take advantage of the waterway as well.
The money is needed to buy two huge cranes for loading and unloading ships at the port.
Doornekamp says the refurbished terminal would load and unload more than 100 vessels a year, removing 350,000 heavy truck kilometres from the highway, creating and retaining 500 jobs.
He said to be financially successful the plan must go ahead next year.
Prince Edward Hastings MPP Todd Smith is “hopeful” senior governments will come forward with money for the proposed expansion of the shipping port terminal in Picton harbour.
Following the presentation about the terminal, Smith said he has already reached out to the provincial Economic Development and Infrastructure Minister Brad Duguid to help provide the $10 million needed.
Smith says the expansion would mean extra jobs.
Hastings County voted to urge the provincial and federal governments to provide the $10 million investment.
The mayor of Prince Edward County calls the news of a proposed expansion of the Picton marine terminal as a “boom” for the County.
Mayor Robert Quaiff made the comment following the presentation of the project indicating it’s good news for the local region .
QUAIFF PORT
Quaiff says county officials are meeting with four provincial ministers to pitch the idea and call for funding support.
