A city or a town is nothing less than a brand name.  Some brands matter while others do not. 

Why should Milton (or any town for that matter) care about its brand?  First, property values (of course). Second, strong brands create strong attachments and municipalities with stronger attachment experience better economic growth.  A recent study confirmed it.

Will Milton be a vibrant, growing brand in GTA or an irrelevant one?

It’s yet another thing I’d been saying for years.  Finally, a study confirms it:

Perhaps most useful for them is the fact that researchers found perceptions of economic prosperity are not the leading drivers of attachment feelings among residents. Instead, most of the 14,000 respondents rated social offerings (such as entertainment and other venues that promote interconnectivity among residents), openness (acceptance of diversity) and community aesthetics as the top qualities that influenced decisions on where to anchor their lives and careers.

Did you read?  Social offerings, openness and community aesthetics as the top qualities, the three things I’ve been a broken record about.  The conclusion of the study:

Translated, it means that communities able to inspire loyalty and passion among residents are also likely to see a swell in their financial outlook.

More info here.