Retention is important
“It used to be that jobs and economic opportunities drew migrants. No longer. Today’s populations are more mobile than ever. Armed with information and freed by technology, today’s migrants choose their communities much more carefully than ever before. Therefore, communities must be savvy in the retention and attraction of people. In fact, if communities don’t inspire their citizens, they run the risk of becoming failed communities.” - From “Beyond Economic Survival” by Centre for Innovative & Entrepreneurial Leadership. Taken...
Read MoreSubsidize development charges for high employers
QuestionsView Results Please explain why, or why not. This is a follow up to my loss leader post. You should read it before voting. A very quick summary is this :-New growth costs money. New growth should pay for itself. However, all new growth is not same 1 million sq ft office complex employs 25 times as many people as an industrial compound of same size. However, they both pay same development charge (should they?) Other municipalities already do this. Development Charge in Guelph for above structure is around $3 million. In Halton it...
Read MoreLoss leader for halton & milton
Walmart, Superstore and other retailers sell hardcover books for less than the cost. Why? It gets people to the store. Specifically, it is better than selling toasters or socks at a discount because it gets the right customer in the store. Customers who buy hardcover books (which is arguably a luxury item) buy other items too. Does your municipality have a loss leader? Something it offers in a discount to attract desirable businesses or residents? The Region should do this for high quality employers. A one million square foot office building employs...
Read MoreWhat’s your brand worth?
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...
Read MoreLink between residents’ attachment & economic growth!
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...
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