Trenton

Economy

The town's economy is tied to heavy industry and its residents are largely employed at Nova Scotia Power's Trenton Generating Station, Michelin's tire factory in Granton, or Neenah Paper's pulp mill in Abercrombie.

The massive TrentonWorks Ltd. facility dominates the town's waterfront, having opened in the 1870s as Canada's first steel mill before being converted to focus exclusively on manufactured steel products by the late 19th century. The TrentonWorks site was used to produce railway cars throughout the entire 20th century before production ceased in 2007. Part of the facility was used as a shipyard to produce small cargo ships during both world wars; the railcar plant was temporarily retooled during these conflicts to produce munitions. As of 2010, the facility is undergoing a $60 million conversion to produce components for wind turbines in a partnership between South Korean industrial conglomerate Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DMSE) and the governments of Nova Scotia and Canada. The end of railcar manufacturing on the TrentonWorks site saw the loss of 1300 jobs (at peak employment); it is currently hoped that the conversion to produce wind turbine components by DMSE will return employment to pre-2007 levels.|[2]

Trenton Forge is a separate company located adjacent to the TrentonWorks property dates to the 1870s and operates one of the largest forges in the world. At one time, Trenton also hosted a glass works and paint factory.

The town has been facing significant economic turmoil in recent decades as the local economy transitions from industrial to post-industrial. Rural depopulation in Canada has affected Pictou County and Trenton has witnessed the loss of numerous institutions and businesses over the years. These include: 5 schools, a movie theatre, doctors' offices, many businesses, and several industries. The town has very few local services, relying on the growing commercial district in neighbouring New Glasgow; it has recently seen its last bank branch and gas station close.

In 2004, Trenton lost its only high school during a round of school consolidations and there are currently discussions into closing the only remaining middle school as well.[citation needed]

With the town's residential and commercial tax base in decline, finances are strained for maintaining existing services and it is believed that amalgamation with other incorporated municipalities in Pictou County is inevitable.