DEBERT - A provincial jail could be a fitting addition to the Debert Air Industrial Park, Colchester County Mayor Bob Taylor believes.
"I think it would be a great plus," he said, of the possibility of the provincial institution coming to the area. "I think it would be a great fit for us."
The province of Nova Scotia plans to construct a new $31-million, 100-cell jail facility, and a lot on Plains Road in Debert is one of three identified sites on the province's short list. The other two sites are located in Thorburn, Pictou Co. and Addington Forks, Antigonish Co.
Two Pictou County councillors recently voiced their opposition to having the jail constructed in their backyards but both Taylor and area councillor Bob White feel the county would benefit from the construction jobs and the 60-70 long-term jobs that would be created.
"We already have a federal jail (the Nova Institution for Women in Truro) so I really don't think having a provincial jail in Debert is going to be a detriment to the area," White said.
"There'd be some great jobs," he said, adding the jail would also serve as a training ground and job site for graduates of the correction services program at the Truro campus of the NSCC.
And Taylor said an offer has also been made to the province for a land swap between the Debert site and the provincial property that has been selected for the new civic centre in Truro.
The civic centre will be built on land owned by the province near Exit 13. The town and county have been negotiating with the province to acquire the land for months.
"We made the offer,"he said.
