Angus, Ontario - Located in the Township of Essa
Angus is located on the Nottawasaga River, about 18 km west of Barrie and right outside the gates of C.F.B. Borden. Historically, the primary economic activity of the Township was agriculture. Although in recent years, the local economy has diversified to include a thriving commercial retail and service industry sector. The population of Angus, Essa County and CFB Borden to date is approximately 25,000 people.
Community Links
CFB Borden
The Canadian Armed Forces Base (CFB) Borden is located in Essa Township and adds substantially to the economic development of Angus. The approximate 10,000 residents and employees on the Base significantly support local businesses, particularly in Angus. On average, CFB Borden trains 15,000 military personnel annually. CFB Borden employs approximately 3,250 military members and approximately 1,500 civilians and as such become the commercial and retail hub for the municipality. Annual salaries for military and civilian DND employees working on the base total approximately $142 million. The annual cost of operating and maintaining the base is $49 million. Of that $49 million, $6 million goes to utilities and $5 million is a direct Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILT) contribution to the local government. The majority of this PILT payment is made to Essa Township.
Today, CFB Borden is the Canadian Forces’ largest training centre.
Current and Future Development
As the city of Barrie maximized its growth, neighboring Angus is growing fast and proof of this is 2 major infrastructure projects being built: the expansion of highway 90, which leads from Barrie and the 400 Highway to Angus and surrounding Essa Township and the construction of a new high school in Angus. The $50-$75 million dollar highway 90 project includes widening the road to a five lane cross-section highway, and replacing and widening the bridges over the Nottagwasaga River and the CP Railway. The project commenced in fall 2009 and expected to be finalized by 2011. The construction of a new high school in Angus commenced as well in fall 2009. This project was approved by the Simcoe Board of Education and budgeted by the province.
Both projects are aimed to support the rapid growth of Angus’ housing market and the increase of the area’s population. Just in the last 2 years, 1,500 residential lots in Angus were approved, half of them were completed while the construction of the other 750 houses has begun and will continue throughout 2010.
