| Trenton Nova Scotia | |||
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| — Town — | |||
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| Motto: "Strike While The Iron's Hot" | |||
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Trenton Nova Scotia
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| Coordinates: | |||
| Country | Canada | ||
| Province | Nova Scotia | ||
| Municipality | Pictou County | ||
| Founded | 1786 | ||
| Incorporated | March 18, 1911 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Governing Body | Trenton Town Council | ||
| • Mayor | Glen Mackinnon | ||
| • MLA | Ross Landry (NDP) | ||
| • MP | Peter MacKay (C) | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 6.00 km2 (2.3 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 92 m (302 ft) | ||
| Population (2006)[1] | |||
| • Total | 2,741 | ||
| • Density | 456.5/km2 (1,182.3/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | AST (UTC-4) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | ADT (UTC-3) | ||
| Postal Code | B0K 1X0 | ||
| Area code(s) | 902 | ||
| Telephone Exchanges | 752, 755 | ||
| Website | http://www.town.trenton.ns.ca | ||
Trenton is a town located in Pictou County, Nova Scotia.
Trenton is situated on the east bank of the East River of Pictou, adjacent to and immediately north of the larger town of New Glasgow.
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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.
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.
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1981 | 3,154 | — |
| 1991 | 2,957 | −6.2% |
| 1996 | 2,952 | −0.2% |
| 2001 | 2,798 | −5.2% |
| 2006 | 2,741 | −2.0% |
| [3] | ||
A 555-acre (2.25 km2) park occupying the north-east edge of Trenton and featuring 3 trout stocked ponds, 3,000 sq ft (280 m2) outdoor heated swimming pool, hiking/cross country ski trails, and an outdoor amphitheater.
A small privately owned and operated airport located on the eastern edge of the town.