The City of Belleville is providing some financial support for a new manufacturing facility on Station Street.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held earlier this month for the new BCS Automation property at 435 Station Street.
At Monday’s meeting, Council will be asked to provide $202,115.00 under the Employment Lands Community Improvement Plan (CIP).
Recommendation:
That, pursuant to the Manager of Economic Development’s Report No. ECDEV-2026-11, a Funding Agreement between the City of Belleville and BCS Automation Ltd and Bowland Company Ltd, in the amount of $202,115.00, be approved.
And That a by-law to authorize the execution of the Funding Agreement be brought forward for Council’s consideration.
Strategic Plan Alignment:
Industrial and Commercial Development: Encourage remediation and redevelopment of underutilized lands
Industrial and Commercial Development: Support initiatives that create an available skilled labour force, including programs to retain youth in the community
Background:
The City of Belleville adopted the Employment Lands Community Improvement Plan (CIP) to provide financial incentives to support eligible industrial development within designated areas of the City. BCS Automation Ltd. and Bowland Company Ltd. have been approved for financial assistance under the CIP in support of the development of a new advanced manufacturing facility at 435 Station Street.
The proposed project involves the development of a new approximately 37,609 sq. ft. advanced manufacturing facility, including approximately 24,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space. The facility will support the engineering, design, manufacture, assembly, testing and commissioning of marine electrical control systems, switchboards, motor control centres and industrial automation systems serving Canadian marine, shipbuilding, defence and industrial markets.
The project represents an estimated $10.7 million in private investment and is expected to retain 32 existing full-time positions and create 15 new skilled full-time positions. The project is located within the Employment Lands CIP Priority Area and will convert an underutilized industrial property to support expanded manufacturing activity in Belleville.
The Recipient’s CIP application was approved by Council on July 27, 2026 subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Funding Agreement.
Analysis:
The proposed Funding Agreement establishes the terms and conditions under which CIP assistance will be provided to BCS Automation Ltd. and Bowland Company Ltd. The Agreement provides for assistance through the Development Charges Rebate, Planning Fees and Building Permit Rebates and Landscaping Rebate programs.
The Agreement provides appropriate safeguards for the City’s financial commitment, including requirements for compliance with the CIP, verification of eligible costs and supporting documentation, maintenance of property taxes in good standing, inspection and audit rights and continued operation of the project as a manufacturing facility. The Agreement also provides for repayment of funding and other remedies where the Recipient defaults on its obligations.
The project aligns with the objectives of the Employment Lands CIP by supporting new industrial development, increasing manufacturing capacity, retaining and creating skilled employment and attracting private-sector investment to an underutilized employment property. The proposed development is expected to increase the company’s manufacturing capacity by approximately 200% and provide longer-term industrial and supply-chain benefits to the local economy.
Council authorization is required to permit the execution of the Funding Agreement and to provide the necessary authority through the associated by-law.
Financial:
The total approved CIP assistance is $202,115, against a maximum program eligibility of $302,500 and total identified eligible costs of $548,585.
The approved funding consists of:
| CIP Program | Approved Assistance ($) |
| Development Charges Rebate | 162,808 |
| Planning Fees Rebate | 3,757 |
| Building Permit Rebate | 19,750 |
| Landscaping Rebate | 15,800 |
| Total | 202,115 |
The Agreement provides that funding is subject to compliance with the Agreement, verification by the City of eligible costs and supporting documentation, and the availability of funds. Funding is not to exceed the approved amounts or verified eligible costs.
The financial commitment associated with the Agreement is therefore limited to the approved CIP allocation, subject to the terms and conditions of the Funding Agreement.
Conclusion:
The proposed development represents a significant private-sector investment in Belleville’s employment lands and supports the City’s objectives for industrial growth, advanced manufacturing, employment retention and job creation.
