Construction of a new residential development on Venetian Boulevard in Point Edward is expected to break ground this month.
Point Edward Mayor Bev Hand highlighted the upcoming project during Thursday's State of Lambton Business Breakfast, organized by the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce.
"There's going to be a new road, a cul-de-sac, and then these townhomes that are duplexes/semis and one single home," she said. "So there will be a brand new road between Venetian and the casino."
The St. Clair Street and Lite Street reconstruction project will also officially be completed this year.
Hand said final paving and line painting will be done in the fall to avoid disruption during the spring/summer months. The project started in 2024 but faced several unforeseen challenges.
Meanwhile, planning continues for the former Holmes Foundry site to secure provincial approval to proceed with a proposed high-rise, mixed-use development.
A proposed residential development on Exmouth Street is also in limbo as stakeholders wait to hear the outcome of Cargill's Minister's Zoning Order (MZO) application, which could limit or prohibit planned projects in the area.
Enniskillen Mayor Kevin Marriott, who spoke on behalf of the township and not the County of Lambton, said he hopes there can be a mutually beneficial outcome as the grain terminal is heavily relied upon in the agricultural sector.
"Cargill is as important to agriculture as Line 5 is to the petrochemical industry," Marriott said.
During his speech, Marriott said perhaps the Ford government could move Cargill to a different site so as not to curtail future development near the Exmouth Street facility and quipped it likely wouldn't cost more than an underground tunnel in the GTA.
Marriott also called on the provincial and federal governments to provide infrastructure funding to support rural communities. He said provincial cutbacks have left the township in a difficult situation as it needs to address multiple aging bridges while avoiding double-digit tax increases.
"We've been pleading with the government," Marriott said. "I even talked with the Minister of Transportation last year at AMO (Association of Municipalities of Ontario) and he said, 'Well, we do have emergency funds.' I gave him my card, he promised he'd get back to me... nothing."
One bridge in desperate need of replacement is Black Creek Bridge, between Oil Springs Line and Courtright Line. Marriott said they haven't finalized the budget for 2026 because they're still waiting on tenders, but they expect the cost to be around $2.5 million.
Those who attended Thursday's summit, held at the Point Edward Arena and Community Centre, also heard from eight other speakers.
Aamjiwnaang First Nation Chief Janelle Nahmabin highlighted the partnership with other First Nation communities and Hydro One to become part owners of area transmission lines.
Petrolia Mayor Brad Loosley highlighted the upcoming amalgamation of Charlotte Eleanor Englehart Hospital Foundation and Bluewater Health Foundation, the hospital's redevelopment project, and the water treatment plant intake replacement project, which is expected to be completed this year.
Loosley also said the fundraising campaign for accessibility upgrades at Victoria Playhouse Petrolia has reached the 50 per cent mark, and work is expected to take place this year.
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, Brooke-Alvinston Mayor David Ferguson, Lambton Shores Mayor Doug Cook, Plympton-Wyoming Mayor Gary Atkinson, St. Clair Township Mayor Jeff Agar, and Walpole Island Councillor Matt Nahdee (who represented Walpole Chief Leela Thomas) also spoke during the meeting.
