The BMI Group has acquired the former paper mill site in Baie-Comeau, Que., and launched a redevelopment project on it.

The 2,800-acre property is set to become the Norderra Multi-Modal Industrial Hub. This ambitious project aims to bolster regional industrial development and enhance Canada’s resource supply chains.

In partnership with the Port of Baie-Comeau, the project will connect the Atlantic gateway to BMI’s Bioveld Multi-Modal Enterprise Park at Niagara Ports, operated alongside the Hamilton Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA), and extend to BMI’s northernmost port development on Lake Superior in Red Rock, Ont.

“Norderra will play a pivotal role in Canada’s critical mineral corridor (CMC), linking the resource-rich regions of Ontario and Quebec to the Great Lakes-Atlantic Seaway and global markets,” said Paul Veldman, CEO of BMI Group. “By building on significant investments made by previous owners and the community of Baie-Comeau, we are creating a premier industrial platform that couples robust infrastructure with comprehensive multi-modal logistics.”

The project has gained strong regional support, including a strategic partnership between BMI and the Port of Baie-Comeau to maximize the site’s potential.

“Our partnership on the Norderra project will enhance the port’s capabilities and bolster Baie-Comeau’s industrial base, positioning it as a key hub for new economic development in Quebec and Canada,” said Karine Otis, CEO of the Port of Baie-Comeau.

The revitalization of the site represents a significant moment for Baie-Comeau’s future, according to local leaders.

“The paper mill was here from the beginning,” said Michel Desbiens, mayor of Baie-Comeau. “It will always be part of our heritage. We are at a turning point and we must think about our future. The sustainability of the infrastructure requires a revitalization of the site and a transition to a dynamic and visionary developer. BMI Group dreams big for Baie-Comeau and we are delighted to welcome them to our city.”

The Norderra site features 784,000 square feet of indoor space and 82 acres of outdoor leasable land, scalable for future growth. With a robust power supply, onsite rail connectivity, and efficient port access, it offers a prime location for diverse industrial and logistics operations, said BMI.

Tillsonburg, Ont.-based BMI is a leader in high-impact industrial, infrastructure, commercial, residential, and hospitality developments. Its portfolio and projects include the Bioveld Multi-Modal Enterprise Park at Niagara Ports; Asahi Kasei’s $1.56-billion lithium-ion battery separator plant project in Port Colborne, Ont.,; and the transformation of the Fort Frances, Ont., paper mill site into a district-scale waterfront development.

Through large-scale, integrated development, BMI leverages existing infrastructure to drive economic growth. The company partners with communities, First Nations, governments, and investors to create new development opportunities across Canada.