The Town of Hanover grew on Friday, as the province officially approved a transfer of lands from the Municipality of West Grey.
The two municipalities reached a boundary adjustment agreement near the end of 2025 to transfer 1,635 acres of land to Hanover to allow for future development. In return, West Grey will receive $10 million over 20 years.
The agreement was then sent for approval from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
West Grey Mayor Kevin Eccles said this item has been in discussions for a long time and it was a relief to finally hear it was moving forward earlier this month.
"I had a text from Minister (Rob) Flack on April 1. He was very adamant that this was no fool," said Eccles. "What was my reaction? Finally... I think we've got it right and doing things right sometimes takes time. This is the right thing for the community."
The two municipalities held an event at the former Bucks Crossing golf course on Friday, which previously sat on the border of West Grey. CAOs, councillors and staff from both municipalities said there was great cooperation throughout the process of coming to the agreement.
"We've been working so closely to make this occur over the last couple of years," said Hanover Mayor Sue Paterson. "We're excited that we've actually come together for the benefit of residents of both municipalities, West Grey and Hanover. A great partnership has developed from this."
After receiving the official order from the province on Thursday, the Town of Hanover sent couriers to the 55 properties affected by the transfer, to welcome them and provide them with transition information.
Those residents will vote in the Hanover election this fall.
Paterson said the next step is getting the newly acquired land ready to attract investment.
"We're in the process of expanding our services and that will be the first thing we're going to do to attract development: commercial and industrial and eventually residential," said Paterson. "We're excited this is a generational moment for us."
The towns and Grey County will also update their official plans to reflect the transfer.
Mayor Eccles said their part of the transfer was mostly done. They just need to, as a council, determine how best to use the funds from the transfer.
"At this point in time, no, we haven't (decided what to use it for). I'm assuming it's going into reserve and will it be to develop? Whether it is our infrastructure investments in the community of West Grey or is it to expand our infrastructure in some of our urban settlement areas for economic development and growth industry-wise?"
To learn more about the boundary adjustment, visit here.
