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Millbrook First Nation is looking for a lead developer to promote and oversee the buildout of a long-discussed inland shipping terminal in central Nova Scotia.
ScotiaPort, a partnership between Millbrook and Edmonton-headquartered Endurance Equities, issued a request for proposals on May 15 seeking proponents “to participate in the advancement, structuring, development, and long-term execution” of the 800-hectare project along the CN rail line in Onslow, N.S.
The inland shipping terminal is meant to improve the flow of cargo through the Port of Halifax and reduce congestion on downtown streets. The facility along Highway 104 outside Truro would move containers arriving by rail to trucks.
Millbrook Chief Bob Gloade said while there is no longer a partnership with transportation logistics company Canadian Rail Equipment Works and Services, the project vision still includes a rail terminal.
“I won’t go into details on why that didn’t work,” Gloade said in an interview with CBC News.
“We need to be able to revisit those opportunities and possibly re-examine that opportunity if it ever does exist again.”
With land acquired, Gloade said the focus now shifts to finding a lead developer to see the project through to completion.
“We’re looking for a company or group that has experience in developing business parks to be able to go out and attract the necessary people you want to be able to.”
In addition to the inland terminal, there is potential for large warehouses, heavy and light industrial businesses as well as a solar farm, according to Millbrook staff.
A new highway interchange is also a part of the vision.
A spokesperson for the Department of Public Works said there have not been any discussions about the construction of an interchange for ScotiaPort.
Gloade said conversations are ongoing with other levels of government. He said that includes applying for funding to support infrastructure at the undeveloped site.
“That’s the plan forward, so we can hopefully get shovels in the ground as early as this fall or the following year to start the development,” he said.
The full buildout could take a decade or even two, Gloade said, and approximately 5,000 jobs could be generated throughout the development.
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