The Town of Amherst has officially acquired approximately 150 acres of land to launch the new Amherst Business Park, a move aimed at driving local economic growth and creating new employment opportunities. The town announced the acquisition on April 13, 2026, noting that the new site sits adjacent to the existing industrial area near the Trans-Canada Highway.
The current industrial park was established in the 1960s to support businesses as the Trans-Canada Highway was being built. With that area now nearing full capacity, town officials identified a need for additional space to accommodate new employers. The new site is located near Race Track Road, Industrial Park Drive, Ancestral Drive, and the railway, and is listed as one of the Atlantic Canada Certified Sites.
Mayor Rob Small described the land acquisition as a generational investment for the community. The town intends to use this space to attract businesses in sectors such as logistics, defence and security, energy, and advanced manufacturing. These industries complement the town’s existing major employers, which include IMP Aerospace and Emmerson Packaging.
To support this economic expansion, the town has been working to address the need for workforce housing. In March 2025, Amherst received $2.2 million from the federal Housing Accelerator Fund to help streamline the construction of 67 new homes. Town officials have stated that ensuring available housing is a fundamental requirement for bringing more people to the area and supporting the growth of the local economy.
Located roughly 200 kilometres northwest of Halifax and just three kilometres from the New Brunswick border, Amherst serves as a key gateway for national supply chains. Preliminary infrastructure planning for the new business park is now underway.
