BY MICHAEL-ALLAN MARION
EXPOSITOR STAFF / BRANTFORD

A lot of people in Brantford these days want to know where industrial rebuilder Steve Charest comes from and where his company King and Benton got its name, but he has no trouble explaining to anyone who asks.

Charest is at the vanguard of a new movement of entrepreneurs who see commerce and social value in infill and brownfield redevelopment projects, and he’s a major part of the next wave of peripheral development in Brantford and Brant.

Coun. Larry Kings, says he admires Charest's ability to turned a much-disputed development at Harding Carpets into an exemplary project and improve the neighbourhood at the same time.

"I know there was a lot of resistance at the beginning, but the work Steve has done for Holmedale (neighbourhood) to create some-thing safe out of something that was dangerous is wonderful," he says.

"What I also like is that he just didn't come and make some money here, he has become involved in our city. People in Brantford are particular about that."