Cambridge, ON – October 29. 2025 – Joseph Puopolo, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Polocorp and a long-time Waterloo Region resident, is calling on regional leaders to move forward decisively with Stage 2 of the ION light rail transit (LRT) project. Puopolo emphasizes that effective, efficient transit is critical for Waterloo Region to be seen as a world-class community. He believes the LRT expansion will help the region grow, attract investment, and improve quality of life for residents by providing modern, reliable public transit.
Stage 2 ION is the proposed extension of Waterloo Region’s LRT system from Kitchener into Cambridge. The plan would add 17 km of new tracks and seven new stations, creating continuous rapid transit service linking the region’s three urban centres: Waterloo, Kitchener, and Cambridge. Regional officials have described the project as a transformative step that will better connect the cities and make Waterloo Region an even more desirable place to live and work. The project has already cleared key environmental approval hurdles in Ontario, and planning work (including an Initial Business Case) is underway to solidify the route and secure funding.
Investing in transit has proven benefits for Waterloo Region. Stage 1 of the ION LRT, the Kitchener-Waterloo line that opened in 2019, has been widely regarded as a success, sparking nearly $5 billion in new development along its corridor and leading to the construction of roughly 19,000 new residential units near its stations since 2009.
Puopolo notes that extending LRT service to Cambridge will build on this success. Stage 2 will unlock major growth along Hespeler Road and in Preston and Galt, bringing new homes, jobs, investment, and vibrant public spaces to those areas. It will also encourage transit-oriented growth as the region’s population expands, more of that growth can occur in compact, walkable communities with convenient transit access to jobs and amenities. Ultimately, completing the LRT network through Cambridge fulfills the promise of a “three cities, one ION” vision: fully uniting Waterloo, Kitchener, and Cambridge with rapid transit for a stronger shared future.
Puopolo’s advocacy is rooted in both personal experience and professional expertise. He grew up in Kitchener-Waterloo, attended the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University, and is now raising his family in Cambridge, giving him a unique perspective across the entire region. With over 20 years of experience in growth-focused development, and a background in urban planning, Puopolo has long championed sustainable design and placemaking in local projects. He has witnessed first-hand how better transit can transform communities. As a member of various economic development committees and a supporter of local charities, Puopolo is deeply invested in the region’s future.
“Now more than ever in our current geopolitical environment, Waterloo Region needs to do things to attract investment to signal to the global market, that we are ready, willing and able to grow for both new employers and people to live. So far Polocorp has delivered hundreds of transit-oriented units and plan to bring on 1000s more to the Region within Kitchener, adding fixed stable and predictable infrastructure helps others create the business case to develop and grow the Region. Bus Rapid Transit or BRT will not deliver the investment that fixed rail can, full stop. There is a fundamental psychological difference how investors view those two modes of transportation.”
– Joseph Puopolo, Co-CEO of Polocorp Inc.
Under Puopolo’s leadership, Polocorp itself has embraced the vision of transit-oriented communities. The Kitchener-based development firm, founded in 1978 by Paul and Louise Puopolo, has 45 years of experience building integrated communities in the region. Polocorp’s latest approved project in Kitchener, at Mill Street and Ottawa Street, is the city’s largest development directly connected to an ION station. That mixed-use community will deliver over 1,500 transit-oriented housing units literally on the doorstep of the Mill Street LRT stop, along with new parks, a community centre, and other amenities. “We will be bringing over 2000+ transit-oriented units to the doorstep of the ION LRT system,” Puopolo stated about the Mill Street development, underscoring Polocorp’s commitment to building around public transit. The company is also active in Cambridge with projects like Southpoint, in early stages of its second phase, and sees improved transit connectivity as key to ensuring such communities thrive.
“I have grown up here, I have lived in Kitchener, Waterloo and now a Cambridge resident for over 10 years. I have seen the community grow and change and embrace the opportunities from changes to our community. This is another change that Cambridge should embrace to help continue that story for growth, prosperity and connectivity. It is also a crucial story to tell when speaking to other business leaders about coming to this area to invest. Investment has already occurred, because the business community believed that on the basis of the proposed route, Stage 2 would be coming. That is why it is crucial no matter what level of government we continue to keep Stage 2 ION moving forward without delay.”
– Joseph Puopolo, Co-CEO of Polocorp Inc.
Puopolo’s call for action comes at a pivotal moment. The Region of Waterloo is currently finalizing an Initial Business Case for Stage 2 ION, with a recommendation on the preferred option expected later this year
Regional Council and staff have consistently endorsed the LRT expansion, and community consultations are ongoing to gather public input on the plans. Once the business case is approved, the project will be seeking funding from provincial and federal partners to move into design and construction. “We have an incredible opportunity to complete the region’s transit vision,” Puopolo explains, noting that Waterloo Region’s population and economy continue to grow rapidly. He argues that delivering Stage 2 ION as soon as possible will not only improve transportation but also send a strong signal that Waterloo Region is ready to compete on a global stage as a connected, forward-thinking urban area.
About Polocorp: Polocorp Inc. is a Waterloo Region-based real estate development company with a 45-year track record of creating residential and mixed-use communities. Founded in 1978 in Kitchener, Polocorp has evolved from a home builder into a diversified developer specializing in sustainable, community-focused projects. Led by co-CEOs Joseph Puopolo and Mike Puopolo, the firm prides itself on community building, working closely with local stakeholders to design neighborhoods that integrate transit, green spaces, and a high quality of life for residents.
Polocorp’s projects span from urban infill developments in Kitchener-Waterloo to new residential communities in Cambridge and beyond, all reflecting the company’s commitment to smart growth and a vibrant, connected Waterloo Region.
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Media Contact: Brendan Waller, Marketing Manager, Polocorp
brendan@polocorpinc.com