The skyline of the City of Cornwall is changing as development projects transform this surprisingly dynamic community on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. Municipal planning and building departments are busy processing development approvals and investment interest does not seem to be letting up. This fact alone indicates that the city, strategically located on the border of New York to the south and not far from Quebec to the east, is set to have another banner year of investment and development in 2025.
“Cornwall is bustling with economic activity,” says Bob Peters, manager of Cornwall Economic Development. “There are major projects already underway, with many more breaking ground this year. There is even more opportunity as we work to extend services to 200 acres of employment land in the Cornwall Business Park.”
Current development activity spans all sectors — from industrial and commercial to residential and institutional. Michelin is the latest company to invest, helping to solidify Cornwall’s reputation as a major supply chain hub in North America. The automotive multinational has just moved into a brand-new 984,000-square-foot distribution centre that Broccolini custom-built for it. The building is now operational and joins distribution centres for Walmart, Loblaw and Shoppers Drug Mart that take advantage of Cornwall’s strategic location on Highway 401.
On the tourism front, Great Wolf Resorts is working towards building one of its signature lodges in Cornwall. The development is situated on 50 acres and will feature upwards of 350 guest rooms and an indoor water park. It is expected to attract more than 600,000 visitors to Eastern Ontario each year.
New development invariably leads to new employment opportunities. City officials estimate hundreds of jobs will be created over the next several years, and those people will need places to live. Hundreds of new residential units are being planned with three significant projects already underway. Promenade Miller, by C.H. Clement Construction Inc., will provide 22 condos overlooking the Saint Lawrence River. Cornwall Capital Ltd., meanwhile, is building 15 two-bedroom apartments in the city centre. The largest development is by Montreal’s Swimko, which will provide 160 affordable apartments at 910 Montreal Rd. In addition to those new dwellings, future projects at various stages in the development approval process represent the creation of more than 1,000 additional residential units.
Investment is also occurring in the institutional sector, led by a $600-million project by Ontario Power Generation to rehabilitate the R.H. Saunders Generating Station. This project will secure the future of Ontario’s second-largest hydroelectric generating station.
The City of Cornwall itself is also investing. Its municipal works yard has a new office building and work on a modern municipal garage is also nearly finished. Cornwall Fire Services, meanwhile, is getting a new fire hall and training centre, and a new arts centre is under construction in the downtown.
Health care is also getting a boost with investment in a variety of projects, highlighted by Ted Laurier Place, a new 220-bed long-term facility that is nearing completion.
Each year, Cornwall Economic Development prepares a report that recaps investment activity, and while larger projects are often highlights, the real strength of the local economy is commercial activity from small to medium-sized businesses. This activity ranges from international companies such as Starbucks (currently building two coffee shops in the city’s east end) to Cornwall Square (a locally owned mall welcoming new tenants) to young entrepreneurs opening brick-and-mortar retail stores in the downtown.
“Businesses both large and small are discovering Cornwall and seeing its potential,” Peters says.
More stories about development in Cornwall can be found on www.ChooseCornwall.ca.
This article first appeared in the Spring 2025 special “City Building” issue of the Ottawa Business Journal. That publication is available in its digital edition below:
