The Village of South River is committed to building a strong and sustainable future by investing in economic development. Guided by the 2025 Strategic Plan, the Village is advancing projects that create jobs, strengthen local businesses, and improve the quality of life for residents. From renewable energy initiatives to tourism development, South River is positioning itself as a hub for innovation, community growth, and regional collaboration.

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Why Economic Development Matters

Economic development plays a critical role in ensuring the long-term prosperity of South River. The Strategic Plan identifies five priority areas:

• Expanding community transit through reliable and inclusive ride-share programs.

• Investing in green energy by exploring solar projects on municipal buildings.

• Supporting the adaptive reuse of municipal properties such as the village-owned multipurpose building (former brewery) and the historic South River Train Station.

• Growing experiential tourism, particularly through initiatives at Tom Thomson Park, including star-gazing events and cultural programming.

• Building strong partnerships with businesses, community groups, and regional organizations.

Together, these priorities help strengthen workforce attraction, reduce long-term municipal costs, and create new opportunities for residents and entrepreneurs.

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Economic Development Officer

To support this vision and advance local initiatives, the Village has appointed an Economic Development Officer to lead and coordinate economic development activities.

Officer Details

Name: Tanvir Kabir
Position: Economic Development Officer / Recreation Director
Contact: 📞 705-386-2573 ext. 107 | ✉ EDO@southriver.ca

Tanvir previously served the Village as an Economic Development Intern and now continues his work as the Economic Development Officer. He holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. He also has professional experience in finance, project coordination, and community engagement.

In this role, he supports several key initiatives including community ride-share transit development, renewable energy planning, municipal property revitalization, tourism programming, and regional partnerships.

He also assists with newcomer and foreign worker settlement, helping new residents connect with services and employment opportunities in South River.

Additionally, the Economic Development Office can provide guidance to local businesses and entrepreneurs, including assistance with government funding applications and business promotion initiatives.

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Looking Ahead

Over the coming years, the Village will continue to:

• Develop new business and investment opportunities.

• Explore alternative uses for underutilized municipal properties.

• Invest in renewable energy projects to reduce long-term municipal costs.

• Expand tourism programming at Tom Thomson Park and the South River Train Station.

• Support workforce attraction, retention, and newcomer settlement.

By investing in economic development today, South River is building the foundation for a thriving, inclusive, and resilient future.