London Free Press

CHATHAM - The global economy and the stock market are likely to dictate the fortunes of Chatham-Kent in 2012, says Mayor Randy Hope.

Hope, in an interview Monday, said he's optimistic "good things'' will come Chatham-Kent's way in the new year.

The mayor is calling on all residents of the municipality to both adopt a positive attitude and do their part to entice new business, industry and individuals to call Chatham-Kent home.

Hope said he received a number of e-mails and telephone calls over the Christmas holidays from contacts he made during his recent business trip to South Korea and China.

"Officials in those two countries were impressed at the fact a politician from a small community in Canada came knocking on their door inviting them to consider doing business in Chatham-Kent,'' he said. "Let's hope some good things materialize from the visit.''

Hope said Brampton-area developer Victor Boutin is anxious to get shovels in the ground on his multi-million dollar King Street condominium project in downtown Chatham.

"Boutin's revised drawings of the project are now in the hands of administration,'' he said.

Hope said Boutin's proposed combination office building and hotel on the former Chatham Daily News site on Fourth Street is also moving forward.

The mayor said he's hoping for good things to develop over the next 12 months provided the economy remains strong.

"If the financial markets remain strong during the first quarter of the year they will provide the incentive needed by small and large business to grow their operations,'' he said.

The mayor said he understands officials with two out-of-town developments firms are considering more projects in Chatham-Kent.

The Windsor-based Medd company was responsible for Cineplex building a multi-million dollar theatre facility on its St. Clair Street property.

Hope said he's also checking out reports a factory facility in Tilbury has recently been purchased.

"I've got a lot of irons in the fire but nothing I can be specific about,'' he said. "Companies want to remain low key while they check out future development plans.''

He said some companies are not only kicking Chatham-Kent's tires once or twice, but three or four times.

"I foresee a lot of great opportunities for Chatham-Kent in the coming months,'' he said. "The municipality has a lot going for it and we are getting noticed.''

Hope said he thinks 2012 could be a very good year for the municipality provided the economy continues on a strong note.

"Companies shy away from taking risks when there are serious doubts about the strength of the economy or concerns about another recession,'' he said.

Chatham Daily News