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BLAST FURNACE TO COST $1,500,000 TO BE ERECTED IN WELLAND IN SPRING
Big Extension to be Made to Plant of Canada Steel Foundries-
Crowland School Board Agrees to Sell Site Adjoining Plant for $3,000
[Welland Telegraph, 9 February 1912]
The action of a meeting of the ratepayers of the school section in Crowland, adjoining Welland, on Monday night to sell the present school site to the Canada Steel Foundries for $3,000, will in all likelihood result in the erection in Welland early next spring of a blast furnace to cost $1,500,000 and to employ one thousand men.
B.J. McCormick, in addressing the gathering, stated that he wished to buy the property on which the school is located for the Canadian Steel Foundries who were making arrangements to erect a blast furnace in either Welland or Montreal next spring. The company were not particular whether they built in Welland or not, and would not do so unless given a square deal by the ratepayers. They had purchased all the territory between their plant and the canal with the exception of the school and another small tract.
Mr. McCormick showed where Welland had lost thirteen industries last year through other towns offering them a bonus. This company would put up a plant to employ one thousand men, and Welland should not lose it through a hold-up on the part of the people of the school section. They asked for no bonus and the school taxes alone from the new plant in one year would amount to $4500.
Mr. McCormick explained with figures just what a wonderful advancement Welland had experienced from the factories it secured.
Several ratepayers then advocated extending the glad hand to the industry and a motion was moved and passed that the school site be sold for $3000 on the understanding that it be used for manufacturing purposes.
E. Wade and Elias Baker advocated giving the company the property if they would put up such an industry.
The question of a new site was then discussed by the ratepayers. An offer was made from the Welland South Company of a free site in their subdivision, but the offer was not accepted.
Another meeting will be held to consider the erection of a new school.
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