June Update
Mayor’s Economic
Prosperity Council
I am very pleased to share this
Report and Summary with Londoners.
I must begin by thanking the Executive Chairs - Carol Stephenson and Gord
Mackenzie for their time and insight in preparing the strategic framework
report and also the MEPC Coordinators – Todd Gillick and Tim Kavanagh for
the many hours they have given to the organization of the MEPC and in
preparing the Summary. My appreciation also goes to the Pillar Co-chairs and
Pillar members for their time, ideas and their willingness to share both on
behalf of their business colleagues and their community. To those who have
delivered ideas and comments via the MEC – thank you for your consideration and input. I have
said repeatedly that London can move forward but to do so we must all work
together as a team. Your municipal government works for you and it needs to
hear your ideas and suggestions in order to meet the expectations and
challenges of the city.
The MEPC Report has identified four specific areas of action that I believe
we must consider in everything we do, whether we are business or government.
We must consider Infrastructure (physical – social – cultural - human),
Immigration (maximize and utilize), Investments (local and global) and
Innovation (discoveries and commercialization).
I want to thank the Mayor’s Economic Prosperity Council for providing solid
directions to where London may find opportunities for growth and improve
services. By identifying and incorporating these 4 I’s into all our
discussions and projects, Team London (all Londoners) will move in the right
direction confident in the knowledge it is covering all the bases.
We will continue to update you on the progress of MEPC ideas and actions.
Please watch here for the latest information.
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Media Release
Friday, July 22, 2011
Londoners Focus on 401 Corridor Opportunities
Londoners got an up close look this morning at the job and
economic opportunities that lie ahead with the development of the
401east corridor. Mayor Fontana was joined by Councillors and
representatives of various business and labour groups, with the
release of a major economic impact analysis/justification report.
The 100 page report details the history of the corridor, development
along the roadways in neighbouring municipalities, the economic
impact to those communities, as well as current and projected growth
and investment trends in the region.
The report’s authors, Sergio E. Pompilii & Assoc. Ltd., provided a
detailed analysis of the job creation numbers, increased population
and economic base that could be achieved when the Urban Growth
Boundary is adjusted east to the city limits, to include the 401
east corridor. The report indicated that opening this corridor will
put London on an even playing field with the Kitchener/Waterloo
region and communities further east and west. Investors looking for
a building site and connection to the NAFTA highway will be able to
put London at the top of their potential site list.
Mayor Fontana encouraged business and labour leaders to review the
report in detail. He said, “The information and analysis provided in
the report points us in the right direction. If the city’s priority
is jobs and growth, then we need to really be open for business and
encouraging the public/private partnerships that can get shovels in
the ground and people working.” The Mayor said Londoners must look
closely at what has been accomplished in other centres and how
growth patterns evolved and impacted those urban centres.
“We have to face the fact that the trip to the GTA is getting
shorter every year because building and growth is moving our way;
major expansion is following the roadway to the west and the east.
London must manage that growth and development so it benefits the
city and our quality of life”.
Justin Pompilii presented key points from the report. He said, “The
establishment of the 401 east corridor is a long-term commitment. It
represents a significant opportunity that occurs in the development
of a municipality of London’s size every 40 to 50 years. It will
kick-start and pave the way for strategic and sustained economic
growth. The 401 east corridor is a diamond in the rough that should
now be utilized to compete with the Kitchener/Waterloo Region and
fully interact with the Toronto-Centred Region”.
The document will go to Council and a copy of the
complete report can be accessed using the link.
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