The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

HB NEWS MANY CHALLENGES FACING LOCAL BUSINESSES: OWNER Continued from page 1 Getting around Halton Hills without a car has nev- er been easy, and with the increasing 9) ter transportation is felt more than So says “Robert Guille- mette, who moved to town last summer and currently has no plans of buying a ort lucky that I'm rela- tively fit and am able to walk places. There's not a whole lot of options,” he sai While the town offers transportation suchas ActiVan Accessible Transit and the Taxi Scrip Program, "it's notan option for everyone," said Guille- mette. “It's not completely publicly accessible.” From having no ride share services about four years ago to multiple op- tions today, the town is ded- icated to improving local transit connectivity, said acclaimed is 1 and 2 Coun. Clark Somerville. He pointed to returning GO train services — halted during the pandemic — as an example of this. two-way all-day GO service between Kitchener and To- ronto — originally sched- uled to be completed by 2025 — is now expected to be in place by 2028. The next phase of the “I'd probably have to leave Georgetown if | wanted to afford something by " myself. ~ Shania Rios town's transit plan would offer GO services connect- ing Georgetown "to a place ike Toronto Premium Out- let," said Somerville. Residents also shared concerns about what they feel is insufficient housing availability and affordabil- ity for the next generation, and for those looking to move to Halton Hills. "In my neighbourhood, as soon as a house goes for sale, it's * bought. So, I don't think enough space right now," said Sha- nia Rios, who's been living in Georgetown with her parents for about seven years. Rios said while she en- joys being part of the com- munity, buying a home by herself here is just not fea- sib ta probably have to leave Georgetown ifI want- ed to afford Something by myself," she said. aid former councillor Ted B uncil will no doubt find the housing, especially affordable hous- ing, to moet th the needs of the town, asingly elu- ive." Longtime Halton Hills resident Susan Gordon suggested a “smart sus- housing would help im- prove the housing supply. “Because of increasing ordable housing and — think consideration should Reeti M. ory Mewotane rent bylaws so existing homeowners with larger lots are able to build extra iving quarters on their property, possibly for their improved transit services. involvement with initia- tives such as the George- Fair and events at the aging parents oradultchil- | Helson Gallery would help dren," she added. retain the small-town feel, Visi Geor; said Rios. would also affect the I tome “Half of the land mass in ing capacity, said Somer- Halton Hills is protected ei- ville. The 1,000- acre t mixed- ther by {he Niagara Es- ected carpmentot! to 5 be complete by 3085 is said to be the future home of 19,000 residents and 1,700 jobs, according to the pro- ject website. Rios — who adores the small-town feel of Halton Hills — says it would be tricky to retain that envi- ronment with the increas ing efforts to offer more transportation and hous- ing options. greater community So, there is : not that nach, space to build when it is already tected ” said Somerville Unlike some ¢ municipal- ities, Halton Hills has al- ways pushed for a slow, in- cremental growth, said Somerville. Local businesses — that benefit fro require post-pandemic support to get back on their feet, said Somerville. Labour shortages exas- perated by the pandemic, lack of employment lands to expand on, and the com- petitive nature of the com- mercial rental market are some of the challenges faced by local businesses, he added. Georgetown business owner Bei Chen said any support with rent, gas or hydro would ele local businesses survive the time of COVID-19 topped with inflation. Even though his restaurant is munity supporters at sporting events, fundrais- ers and other initiate: Start planning your dream vacation with hand-picked travel deals and inspiration just for Canadians ») Visit travelalerts.ca , Chen was hit with al5 per ‘cent decrease com- sales— far less pared to several other busi- INH UONEH - dl CUL | 2 nesses. "The food cost has al- > most increased by 30 to 40 2 ? per cent," said Chen, who's 4 ES also faced challenges with g hiring and ret provees over ihe past two = *somerville said the 8 town must also work with 8 the chamber and the busi- ness community to intro- duce a land rezoning that allows businesses to easily switch locations or open eet potential ones. Posts stirring up con- versations of a delayed am- pansion of the hospital and other medical services needs of a hospital to be constructed within Halton Hills," said Brown. To cater to the growing demand, Brown and land to wuld a nova on. STORY BEHIND THE STORY: With the munici- palelection now over, we wanted to examine what the top issues are facing the new council. a NO@NIONMINSAULO)N| STARTS-HERE