Business is booming at the Ancaster Industrial Park.

Neil Everson, city director of economic development, comfirmed the last 29 acres of city-owned employment land will be tendered for sale sometime next spring.

The Ancaster Industrial Park, located between Shaver and Trinity Roads north and south of Wilson Street, contains 660 acres of employment land.

The park was originally conceived in the early 1980s.

Before the last remaining city lots are sold, the land must be graded and serviced with water, sewer and road infrastructure.

Mr. Everson said he's pleased the park is nearing completion, but noted city staff has learned from their mistakes over the previous 25 years.

"It is and it isn't (a success)," Mr. Everson said. He explained that planners today would likely divide the land into larger lots, of at least two or three acres.

"Companies want the ability to expand their operations on that site," Mr. Everson said.

He said a 20,000 square foot manufacturing facility requires at least two acres of land.

Mr. Everson said once the Ancaster park is complete, the city will focus future efforts on servicing the 680-acre North Glanbrook Industrial Business Park near Hamilton's southern boundary.

Guy Paparellla, director of industrial parks and airport development, said several firms have expressed interest in the new city lots, including an auto parts company. He said industrial park land has sold at competitive prices, roughly $150,000 to $200,000 per acre. He anticipates the shrinking supply of land in the area could drive prices slightly higher.

"The demand is for two-acre lots and up," he said. "Five-acre lots are the most common."

Mr. Paparella said other privated-owned parcels of land could become part of the park in the near future, including an estimated 100-acre parcel currently being used for agricultural purposes.

He said the park's success can be attributed to its proximity to Highway 403, related commercial and residential development.

As part of its expansion plans, the city will extend Cormorant Road to Trinity Road sometime within the next two years. Two additional streets will be created in the industrial park, south of Cormorant Road.