Mayor's Priorities for the NEXT Hamilton:

2. Economic Development

Economic Development Funding Increase: I have delivered on my commitment to increase funding for Economic Development. This year (2008), Hamilton City Council approved an enhancement in resources for economic development for the first time in 20 years, pumping another $1.5M into the City's Economic Development Division. .
These improvements will assist Hamilton in attracting key investments while bringing increased employment opportunities to our community which will ultimately improve the quality of life in our great city.

Jobs Prosperity Collaborative (JPC): My goal for the JPC was to create a working partnership with the leaders and "do-ers" throughout Greater Hamilton. This group is made up of a diverse group of community leaders in the areas of municipal government, business, industry, education, health care, the arts, hospitality, social services, agriculture and new Canadians who believe in and support a new economic development strategy for our City.

SmartGrowth and Brownfields: I am in favour of limiting urban sprawl to protect prime agricultural lands. As we move forward with the development of our new Official Plan, I will continue to promote this vision as we move forward.

I support the establishment of some greenfield employment land around the airport but it is important to balance the way our city develops. We must make it our priority to re-use brownfields to reduce our dependence on greenfield development.

With changing economic conditions, it’s important to have checkpoints for our growth planning process to make sure the City is always in a proactive position to achieve economic growth and prosperity that puts first the best interests of the people who live here.

Waterfront and Downtown: The future health and vitality of our community depends largely on the strength and success of the city’s emerging downtown districts and revitalizing our waterfront. As Mayor, I am focused on some key projects that I believe will accelerate revitalization and reurbanization:

• Lister Block Redevelopment: Thanks to the provincial government’s financial contribution, this project will revitalize a high profile corner of Hamilton’s downtown, while preserving a nationally significant historical landmark.

• Gore Park Plaza: Historically, Gore Park was a popular social gathering place – a hub of retail and commerce. To re-establish the Gore as a hub once again will make it a place all citizens will point with pride when they think of downtown. To do this, we need to re-think our approach to downtown – its strengths and potential. The revitalization of the Gore Park area, including the creation of a pedestrian plaza, is part of this process. The City of Hamilton’s Public Works Department has initiated The Gore Master Plan Study to revitalize Hamilton’s Gore area, bounded by James and Catharine Streets, the north edge of Gore Park, and the southern sidewalk along the south leg of King Street East.

• Education Square: This major development project is a key property within the downtown core bringing together the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, the McMaster University School of Medicine, and the City’s Public Health Services Department. When combined with the ongoing efforts of Mohawk College, Redeemer College, Columbia International College, and the city’s many other learning institutions, this will further advance Hamilton’s status as “the Education City.”

• Waterfront Redevelopment: During my time as head of the Hamilton Port Authority, I developed an understanding of the tremendous importance the waterfront has as to our economy and quality of life. I am committed to advancing waterfront renewal as a priority in shaping the NEXT Hamilton.

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