An industrial logistics park proposal in the Bradner area could bring 4.5 billion dollars in economic benefit to Abbotsford, according to the Emerson Real Estate Group.
However it would also mean the loss of 275 acres of farmland from the agriculture land reserve, something that might not sit well with many of the residents in the rural community.
Emerson Real Estate Group president Ron Emerson says there are things his company would do to offset the loss.
“There is an agricultural trust set up in Abbotsford. We’d be putting funds into that trust which is looking at projects to help agriculture. I think there are ways of taking the top soil off and refurbishing other properties.”
He says it would also mean 4500 new jobs, most of them local.
The City of Abbotsford will set up some public consultations before voting on whether to support the proposal.
From there the proposal will move to the Agriculture Land Commission.
Removing land from the ALR has been a contentious issue in a number of communities recently, including Chilliwack and Delta.