Small town of Rodney, Ont. positions itself to attract young Londoners
It is a village that views itself as an undiscovered gem in southwestern Ontario.
The village of Rodney, located smack dab between London and Chatham, is doing all it can to attract youthful residents and families.
The effort is not only through marketing. The village is also undergoing a physical transformation.
Most major roads in town are being rebuilt and beautified, including the main drag.
It is a $5 million gamble to attract new residents and investments.
But the upgrades do not stop there.
Internet service is improved, and nearly $2-million in provincial tax funds have now been secured to upgrade the former community hall.
Plus, in first for this area, Rodney is looking to be the only place electric vehicles can get a charge between London and Chatham.
West Elgin Mayor Duncan McPhail hopes investors and those looking to settle long-term, will notice.
“Now they could look at us and think, "This is a nice little community, maybe we could do business and live in.”'
But businesses often like to go where young people want to be, and it seems not all of them are buying in.
Eric Gormley and Katherine Wiebe are a young couple who currently live in Rodney, Ont. They say upgrades to attract residents aren't enough to keep them in the village. (Sean Irvine / CTV News)
Eric Gormley and Katherine Wiebe are a young couple who currently live in Rodney, Ont. They say upgrades to attract residents aren't enough to keep them in the village. (Sean Irvine / CTV News)
Katherine Wiebe and her partner Eric Gormley plan to leave the village soon, and unfortunately the upgrades will not change their minds.
“Well, it’s just cosmetics really. There really isn’t that many businesses and jobs here for young people and if you want to go to school, you have to move, so no not really.”
A surprising reaction, some here say, given the housing boom in major centres which has priced many young people out.
Louann Saker came to Rodney from London 15 years ago. She’s noticed more young people in town, but remains baffled why more have not opted to settle here.
“We are so close to the 401, you just jump on the 401, and within 30 minutes you’re in London.”
It is a marketing fact the mayor shares with the young and investors, as he awaits new housing developments.
“When you have young people with young children move to your community, it gives you the opportunity to make your schools sustainable and make your businesses sustainable.”
And in time it just might happen, and if so, perhaps even those determined to leave will find their way back.
“Probably if we had a family or something we would move back because it is nicer to raise in a small family than a city.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.