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THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 1998 THE NEW TANNER Acton's industrial park needs cleanup. Need action on Commerce Ct. By FRANCES NIBLOCK The New Tanner Acton's serviced indus- trial area on Commerce Cres- cent needs a concerted effort to spruce it up to make it more attractive to prospective industrial users said Acton Councillor Norm Elliott af- ter reviewing a consultant's draft report on a long-range economic development strat- egy for the Town. The report found that the Commerce Crescent area with its outside storage is not appealing to prospective business and Acton's other main area of industrial land -- the former Beardmore property --is environmentally contaminated and needs a major clean-up. While Elliott is happy that the Town is looking at a long- range strategy for the future, he said that they shouldn't ignore existing problems with Acton's industrial area. "Aesthetically, Commerce Crescent has never been the greatest -- there's never been the money from the munici- pality to get in there and clean it up," Elliot said in an interview on Friday, pointing out that some of the 29 busi- nesses located there have worked really hard to make their properties look good, while others have done noth- ing. "Maybe we need some kind of a task force or some- thing to look at the issues in the Acton industrial sector to see what needs to be done to make it more viable. Maybe we need something like the BIA (Business Improvement Area) that's in the downtown for the Commerce Crescent area so property owners could work together to make the area more viable," Elliott said. The consultants recom- mend that the Town spend $150,000 to hire an eco- nomic development director and develop an enhanced marketing program. Council is urged to adopt an entrepre- neurial approach and launch an economic development strategy that will pay for it- self, generate new assess- ment and help provide jobs. The report has four main objectives including project- ing land requirements for employment until 2016, de- veloping a strategy to retain and attract business and a marketing plan for the Town and providing advice on in- dustrial official plan policies and zoning provisions. When asked why no other options were suggested, other than hiring staff when the budgets had already been approved, Planning Director Bruce MacLean said a staff will provide a planning re- port with another view next month. The consultant presented it's findings to a' focus group at a workshop on Tuesday night and the feedback from that meeting, along with the planning department report, will be ready for council next month. West Bend Bread Makers from $8997 Bread Machine $ Mixes 1 each E See our flyers a Don't forget Mom now included in on her special day! re THE New TANNER ES Sunday, May 10 853-1730 ee ey z (; >) eas mann' fl wonderful sef ection of gifts for MotBer's Day Silver Jewellery -- Photo Frames Perfume Bottles Bone China Mugs and Teapots Hours: Mon-Sat 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday 12 - 5 p.m. 149 Church St. E. Acton lL 853-1633 J oO UNLIMERED INANGING. up to 48 months Grand Garavans, Grand Voyagers and Town & Country Hurry! Limited Time Offer! Ends April 30, 9 p.m. GEORGETOWN CHRYSLE! LS GEORGETOWN CHRYSLER (1993) LTD. Plymouth 336 Guelph St., CHRYSLER Georgetown 877-0149 877-5108 Tor. 874-4277 == website address: www.halton hills.com/georgetown chrysler oO ree "oO C JEE Sales/Services