Chatham-Kent is a single tier municipality created in 1998. With a current population of over 100,000 spread across an area almost 2,500 square kilometres, there is a challenge to create a sense of unity and provide services to both rural and small urban centres, each with unique needs and located miles apart. Chatham-Kent is committed to reaping the benefits of economies of scale in providing municipal services but at the same time is committed to respecting the heritage and supporting the distinct communities within its borders. In 2001, a Community Strategic Plan was developed with the assistance of 400 citizen volunteers from across Chatham-Kent. To this day the document is the basis for decisions made about the community's future.Chatham-Kent is located in the heart of south-western Ontario and enjoys one of Canada's most temperate climates. This rural-urban municipality borders both Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair; local residents and tourists alike flock to these waterways to enjoy many water-related pleasurable pastimes including boating, water-skiing and world-class fishing. The area is also fortunate to have two of the Province's most spectacular Provincial Parks -- Rondeau and Wheatley. The region's economy is based largely on the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, and is complemented by a growing service/commercial sector. Chatham-Kent is positioning itself for growth by focusing on green energy and emerging manufacturing technologies and is supported by two post-secondary educational institutions, the University of Guelph's Ridgetown Campus and St. Clair College of Applied Arts & Technology. Highway 401 intersects Chatham-Kent at several points and, as such, residents can readily access neighbouring communities such as London, Windsor and Sarnia/Detroit within a one hours'​ drive, and are only three hours away from Toronto.