- From left: CFB Trenton Commanding Officer Colonel Mark Goulden and Quinte Economic Development Commission Chair Ross Rae, April 24, 2018 (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
The economic impact of CFB Trenton on the Quinte area has been highlighted at a meeting of the Quinte Economic Development Commission.
In a presentation to the QEDC on Tuesday, Commanding Officer Colonel Mark Goulden emphasized that the millions of dollars in capital projects at the base represents work for local companies.
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The base makes a payment of about $10 million a year to the municipality, in place of taxes.
The Commission may soon be offering a helping hand to military early retirees who want to get into the Quinte area workforce.
Colonel Goulden told the Commission that he has been talking with Loyalist College about people transitioning out of the military but still wanting to work. He said “a lot of people struggle with that transition.”
Belleville Mayor Taso Christopher, April 24, 2018 (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
Following the meeting Belleville Mayor Taso Christopher told Quinte News “It is an opportunity to join the many Bay Of Quinte area startup companies.” He noted the unemployment rate is low (under 5%) and it is often difficult to find workers.
Executive Director Chris King said the QEDC “would be happy to get involved in that effort.”
Goulden noted the the base is gearing up to deliver the helicopters for Canada’s mission in Mali whenever the order is received, and he said the base will be getting new aircraft for 424 Squadron Search and Rescue over the next year and a half.
