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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, D ec em be r 28 ,2 01 7 | 4 GEO Foundations Contrac- tors Inc. in Acton just went through a landscaping makeover with a little help from the Town of Halton Hills. The company, which recently expanded its operation in Acton with additional acreage and a larger building, is the first Hal- ton Hills company to advantage of the new Landscape Improve- ment Grant program offered through the town. Having grown a lot since mov- ing to Acton in 2004, the company employs roughly 130 people. Next year, GEO Foundations says it will change its name to Keller, with the Acton location set to be- come the company's Canadian head office. "GEO Foundations has been growing at almost 20 per cent per year and we were looking for oth- er locations outside of Halton Hills. However, with invaluable assistance from the town we were able to purchase five acres adja- cent to our property," said GEO Foundations president, Todd Ed- munds, in a town release Dec. 4. "That help continued through the site plan and building pro- cess. The landscape grant was very welcomed to complete all the site works and we are very proud of our expanded new facil- ity," he added. The Landscape Grant is part of the town's Community Im- provement Program (CIP), which provides a $150,000 fund to help local business make improve- ments to their facades and prop- erties. The $150,000 represented the amount made available in 2017, but according to a town release sent Dec. 4, the program has re- sulted in $322,000 being invested since the program's inception. "The CIP has been described as a "tool box" of programs that encourages local businesses to make investments in their prop- erties. Initially the program was restricted to specific areas in Hal- ton Hills and provided funding for façade and building rehabili- tation. In 2016, the Landscape Im- provement Grant was offered for the first time," wrote the town in the release. Local businesses can apply for funding to cover half of their planned improvements up to $12,500. "To be eligible, properties must be located in either the Ac- ton or Georgetown Industrial Parks. Items covered under the grant include costs of fencing, landscaping and planting. Both new buildings and existing prop- erties qualify for the program," added the release. "I am pleased to see GEO Foundations expand in Acton and the enhanced landscaping provides a beautiful buffer be- tween the roads and the neigh- bours," said Mayor Rick Bon- nette. "This project clearly dem- onstrates the value of the CIP and I invite other industrial business owners to consider making im- provements to their properties." Visit haltonhills.ca/Commu- nityImprovementProgram/in- dex.php for more information. NEWS Acton business first to take advantage of landscaping grant offered by town GRAEME FRISQUE gfrisque@metroland.com The Georgetown Hospital Foundation (GHF) has an- nounced Sandra Taylor as the foundation's new executive di- rector. According to a press release, Taylor is an accomplished execu- tive with an impressive track re- cord and more than 18 years of de- velopment experience in both the nonprofit and private sector at both the local and national level. "Sandra is a seasoned and in- novative development profes- sional who brings expertise in or- ganizational development, major gift fundraising, donor relations and volunteer management to the Georgetown Hospital Foun- dation," Marc Henein, George- town Hospital Foundation board chair, said. "I would like to extend a very warm welcome to Sandra. The Georgetown Hospital Foun- dation is very fortunate to recruit someone of her calibre, experi- ence and commitment." Taylor comes to Georgetown Hospital from Ketchum Canada Inc. (KCI) where as senior con- sultant, she partnered with a va- riety of organizations to help them elevate their fundraising results and increase their opera- tional effectiveness. She previ- ously worked in leadership roles at the Canadian Liver Founda- tion, Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Easter Seal Society of On- tario. Before moving into the non- profit sector, Sandra worked in communications, marketing and event management at the Cana- dian Football League and Cana- dian Interuniversity Sport. Taylor holds a bachelor of commerce degree from Lauren- tian University and certification in change management. "I am very excited to be joining the Georgetown Hospital Foun- dation," Taylor said in the relea- se. "It will be a tremendous privi- lege to support the vital role of this community hospital. I look forward to acquainting myself with Georgetown Hospital and its supporters, and building on the wonderful successes of the Foundation." COMMUNITY Georgetown Hospital Foundation appoints new executive director KATHRYN BOYLE kboyle@theifp.ca Than k you for y our supp ort o ver th e yea rs. Dr. A. S ayal Georgetown Marketplace Mall 905-877-CARE (2273) Proudly Serving Georgetown since 1994 Proudly Serving Georgetown since 1994 DR. ANOOP SAYAL & ASSOCIATES Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Dr. Sayal and staff want to thank our family of patients for all their support with our Annual Food Drive. Over the last 20 years we have raised thousands of dollars and many thousands of pounds of food. As is our tradition, in lieu of Christmas cards, a donation has been made to the Georgetown Bread Basket. Lori Brading of The Georgetown Bread Basket along with Dr. Sayal and his staff