Should Cornwall Ontario invest in getting a University (or a trades school for that matter)? The answer is yes, absolutely! I know some people were critical of the initial presentation given at City Hall, and perhaps rightly so, but notwithstanding that there are many good arguments in favour of considering this proposal. Here is my vision of how a University could benefit our City.

It would be a huge boost to our local economy having thousands of students come to Cornwall each year. It would bring money into our City and generate wealth. It would put money in the pockets of landlords and people who would want to rent out a room in their home. Landlords would definitely spend some of this money locally, and it would also bring in new revenues for small businesses and the service economy.

An increase in demand of services would also create new jobs and generate even more wealth. Having a large quantity of post secondary students come to Cornwall each year would also attract jobs that do not traditionally come here. New jobs in Cornwall geared towards this demographic would motivate more people to stay and live in Cornwall, and this in turn would be a boom for housing and increase our tax base (and that could mean lower taxes and/or better municipal services – which would attract more people and more jobs!). It would be a boost to economic development, and there would be the real potential of diversifying our economy in a meaningful way.

It would be a benefit to local students too, because it would make University more affordable. Local students would no longer have the burden of paying rent in larger cities like Ottawa, Kingston, or Toronto. They could get a post secondary education while living at home, or if that was not an option, at least rent is much more affordable in Cornwall than in larger cities. In addition it would also be a boost to local arts and culture, and to local sports and leisure.

I see many potential positives if this initiative ever comes to fruition. It could help expand our local economy, generate wealth, and it would make life more affordable to local students who want to pursue a post secondary education.

If we build it, they will come.

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Agree or disagree? You are welcome to write a letter to the editor!