Business leaders say water worries in Waterloo Region are scaring investors away
Worries about Waterloo Region’s water supply could be prompting some investors to consider spending their money elsewhere.
WATERLOO, ON — At Build Urban, our members, who are deeply invested in the long-term success and growth of this community, emphasized three key points to CTV Kitchener:
- Clarity matters — Investors and developers need transparent, actionable information on water infrastructure capacity and future planning timelines. Without clarity, capital shifts to markets with more predictable servicing strategies.
- Communication builds confidence — A coordinated strategic regional message that clearly outlines both current capacity and planned solutions helps reassure industry that Waterloo Region is open for business.
- Partnerships are essential — Addressing water capacity challenges will require aligned efforts between local government, developers, and senior levels of government to secure funding and implement technical solutions without stalling economic momentum.
Build Urban Supports LRT Expansion to Cambridge as a Catalyst for Unlocking New Investment and Development Opportunities
Transit extension expected to stimulate housing growth, attract investment, and strengthen Waterloo Region’s urban corridor
WATERLOO, ON — Build Urban, a collective of local urban developers in Waterloo Region, strongly supports the extension of the ION Light Rail Transit (LRT) project from Fairway Station to Downtown Cambridge. The proposed expansion marks a once-in-a-generation opportunity to spark new investment, create more housing, and shape the next phase of growth across Waterloo Region.
(more…)Development stalled: thousands of approved units go unbuilt in Cambridge
Officials are pointing the finger at a challenging market and high-costs for builders, particularly for mid-rise and high-rise projects, as the reason thousands of approved housing units remain unbuilt in Cambridge.
As of the beginning of August, Cambridge city council has approved 7,684 housing units since 2023, according to data provided by Cambridge’s general manager of planning and development Hardy Bromberg.
Despite a high number of approvals, more than 5,000 units remain unbuilt or have building permits.
Waterloo region developers collaborate to improve work with government and build more homes
Over a dozen developers across the Waterloo region have collaborated to advocate for policies and initiatives to facilitate new home construction across the region.
The new Build Urban group represents a collective voice championing efficient land use, responsible growth and streamlined approval processes. It will work closely with municipal governments and stakeholders in the hope of overcoming barriers to construction and expediting the creation of new homes across the region.
Local developers ask cities to get on the same page to get more housing built
‘We are falling behind when it comes to building homes for our residents,’ says local developer advocacy group amid housing shortages they say is being caused by red tape and a lack of political will at city hall.
Local developers who want to add to the region’s housing stock but are continually tied up by red tape, NIMBY opposition at municipal councils, and drawn out legal challenges at the Ontario Land Tribunal, have banded together to try to change the narrative.