January 22, 2004, York Region begins second phase of Economic Strategy consultation

NEWMARKET – York Region is beginning consultation sessions with small business, retail, technology and manufacturing, tourism and agriculture industries in the second phase of its Economic Strategy consultation. The consultation will take place until the end of February in the form of focus groups with executives and representatives of these industries.

“Input and feedback from the Region’s economic partners and participants in the consultations will form the basis for a draft Economic Strategy,” said Regional Chair and CEO Bill Fisch. “This will help us realize and sustain the goal of a vibrant economy in Vision 2026, the Region’s 25-year strategy plan.”

York Region began consultation in the development of an Economic Strategy last fall. The goal of the strategy is to develop an action plan that will result in the Region being a more competitive location for business.

“The establishment of an Economic Strategy will serve to define the Region’s role and compliment the economic development efforts of the area municipalities,” said Markham Regional Councillor Frank Scarpitti, Chair of the Region’s Planning and Economic Development Committee.

In its first phase of consultation, Regional staff held workshops with economic development partners, which include area municipal economic development staff and the Executive Directors and Presidents of the local Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade. Discussions took place about the current challenges and opportunities facing the Region’s economy and focussed on what strategic direction and possible action areas that the Region could undertake as part of its Economic Strategy.

The following key issues were raised during the first phase of consultation:

The availability of skilled labour to meet the needs of existing and new business growth.
The need to better plan for and benefit from immigrants.
The need to improve the Region’s transportation road network to better meet the growing needs of business and residential growth.
The availability of broadband high-speed telecommunications infrastructure across the Region.
The availability of serviced employment land to accommodate future demands in all areas of the Region.
Housing affordability and supply.
Involvement and education of youth in economic development planning.
Need to position York Region as a high quality community.
The need for more co-ordination, cooperation and leadership among the Region, economic development offices, Chambers of Commerce/Boards of Trade and various levels of government.

Following phase two of consultation, York Region will host a Regional Economic Strategy Forum in the spring with a broad cross section of business and economic stakeholders to validate results of consultation, and identify and prioritize key action items that need to be included in the

Economic Strategy.

A final report and draft strategy will be reviewed by the Region’s Planning and Economic Development Committee and Regional Council in late June.

For more information on The Regional Municipality of York, the services we offer and links to our nine area municipalities, please visit our Web site at www.region.york.on.ca

Contact: Wendy Lewis, Corporate Communications Services, York Region

- (905) 830-4444 or (416) 297-9696, ext. 1238

- Email: wendy.lewis@region.york.on.ca