The municipality of the County of Kings, Nova Scotia, has approved the sale of approximately 50 acres of land in Waterville to Michelin North America (Canada) Inc., adjacent to Michelin’s truck tyre plant there.
Michelin Canada agreed to pay $1.89 million for the land—part of the Waterville Municipal Airport — which Michelin is considering for an expansion of its plant, according to the County of Kings Council.
The tyre maker did not at this time comment on the deal, but the Kings County local government has been studying for more than two years the sale of the property to Michelin, which ostensibly has been evaluating an expansion of its plant there.
The Kings Councilvoted March 10 to close the airport by Sept. 30, but the sale agreement with Michelin extends the closing date to Sept. 30, 2015, with the sale to be official as of Oct. 1, 2015, the council said.
“The Municipality continues to support the goals of Michelin expansion and airport relocation,” the council said.
The Province of Nova Scotia initiated the Michelin plant expansion/relocation of the airport, the council said, “and it is expected that the province will see both aspects of the project through to their respective conclusions.”
The council also said it expects the provincial government will support economic development in Kings County by investing financially in a relocated airport.
“The municipality remains committed to funding the relocation of the airport from the proceeds from the sale of the lands,” the council said, in partnership with the users of the airport and the provincial government “to ensure a relocated airport is financially viable and can create jobs and economic spinoffs for other small businesses.”
Warden Diana Brothers said the county will support the airport relocation with seed money.