‘Historic growth and unprecedented opportunities’: Warden Hilda MacDonald makes final State of County address

Essex Warden Hilda MacDonald made her final State of County address on Thursday.

Warden Hilda MacDonald made her final State of County address for more than 300 community members.

MacDonald is wrapping up her last term as the first female Warden of Essex County.

“The County of Essex is experiencing historic growth and unprecedented opportunities for economic development and diversification that will benefit residents for generations,” she said.

“I look forward to continuing the conversation about these opportunities – along with the challenges we must address together.”

MacDonald touched on various projects in the region, such as the Gordie Howe International Bridge, the new regional hospital, the NextStar Battery Plant, and investments that are helping to ‘reshape Essex County’s economic foundation’.

She addressed growing pressures and said Essex is not preparing for growth, it is managing it. The county is expecting a significant population growth in the coming years, increasing the demand for housing, infrastructure, and employment opportunities.

The county is using its official plan to introduce development changes that help with these pressures.

“This year’s state of the county reinforced just how far Essex County has come in building the frameworks needed for sustainable success,” said Ryan Donally, president and CEO of the Windsor Essex Chamber of Commerce.

“From the county’s first strategic plan to updates to the official plan, a clear advocacy agenda, and major investments, today’s discussion showed a region no longer reacting to growth but deliberately preparing for it.”