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HB NEWS MORE SUPPORT FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES NEEDED: OWNERS | Continued from page 1 transit upgrades, employment growth, development of a water- park, an entertainment complex, anew hotel and more— while fos. tering * "small town living at its “Our responsibility as a local government is to create an envi- ronment where people thrive —a place that is realized through a healthy, prosperous, diverse, wel- coming and equitable communi- we said Lawlor. Regional Coun. Clark Somer- ville emphasized the ongoing im- portance of promoting business development, saying, "We nee look forward to 5 eontinued recov, ery from COVID-19 and to make sure we're there for our business- es and id community groups." funicipal funding to hire stu- dents for summer jobs and in- sai Georgetown's Dirty ‘Adventures Scuba manag- er Heidi Gay. Mumbai Frankie, owner Chandra Kumar, who opened the Georgetown restaurant earlier year, said municipal support fore advertising, staff training and grants to accelerate business growth would be beneficial. In response to the pandemic, the town initiated the Digital Main Street Program, providing personalized digital support to businesses looking to launch or and until the end of 2023. ‘he town also aims to contin- Ann Lawlor photo Mayor Ann Lawlor says a wide variety of projects are planned for the town in 2023. ue collaboration on several other projects, Perse the Shop Lo- e ongoing oman Tavemment Plan (CIP), which h has generated about $1.4 mi [P-related invest- ments to date. ie. Limited access to public tran- sit is another challenge facing lo- cal businesses that Lawlor says the town is working on improv- four out of Mumbai Frankivs eight employees from out of town, er said he tially faced challenge: es finding staff. duet to yack of public transit." After a three-month delay in opening the business due to staff- Michael Chong Member of Parliament Wellington - Halton Hills ing shortages, Kumar said he had. no option but to offer his employ- ees free-of-cost housing at a wal- kable distance from the restau- rant. Brampton's Pooja Sandhu, who takes the GO bus to George- town for work, said the service is expensive and limited to an hour- ly basis. "Sometimes they can't even get you on the bus because there's no space, and I have to wait until the next bus in the cold weather .. the bus stops don't even have a stand," "said Sandhu. Through a transit system/ master plan launched in Septem- ber, Lawlor said the town sees a Milton bus travel along the Steeles Avenue corridor. jomerville the new main omphorment a area that will see the vast majority of job wth. "The Steeles route has been an immediate success,” said Lawlor. “By using Milton buses and driv- ers, we don't manage that invest- ment. We only pay a set amount to Milton to extend their route through Halton Hills," she added. Lawlor said the initial foray into transit beyond the Activan program would assist the town's existing and new businesses in the employment corridor in se- curing and retaining employees. Additional office, logistics and warehouse sites are also planned for the Steeles corridor. Residents also shared con- cerns about what they feel is in- sufficient housing availability and affordability for the next gen- eration and those looking to moye to Halton Hills. my neighbourhood, as soon as a house goes for sale, it's bought. “So, I don't think we have enough space right now," said shania Rios, who's been living in rae with her parents sor about seven years. Rios said that while she enjoys being part of the community, buying a home alone here is just not feasible. There're several residential projects on the horizon for next year. Lawlor said two condomini- um buildings of 640 units are pro- posed near the Georgetown GO Station, and the construction ofa 10-storey building at the McGib- on Main site is expected to start in the spring of next year. Lawlor added that a six- storey building on the former Memc Arena lands will be ormplated iy by summer 2023, followed by the construction of 14 townhouse units and a five-storey condomin- ium with 114 units later next year. Somerville said council will also look into housing options for seniors. "There are about four million square feet of development pro- ceeding through the develop- ment review process or actually under construction. These pro- jects represent about $900 million in investment and over 2,000 local ae Area Lawlor. wing a recommendation report ‘targeted for mid-2023, the town will also see movement in significant development projects, including a waterpark, entertain- ment complex and a hotel. While town would benefit from the oe of transit ser- vices, residential spaces and job wailabilities, Ruth Rocheleau, a INH UONEH - dH] CUL | 2 Georgetown resident for about two decades, said she fears the de- velopment would compromise the area’ 'S “country: like Lestyle." " the sprawl. It's a sleepy little we that wants to stay this way," she said. Managing growth — Lawlor — will be one of the major challenges faced by the new Ze0z ‘62 sequeseq ack Ta =“ vil work hard to ensure that the new neighbourhoods that we create reinforce our char- acter; that we avoid sprawl and the geography of nowhere," Law- aid. "Lawlor recognized financial pressures — due to inflation and non- discretionary cost increases such as insurance on the budget as a ‘critical chal lenge aA second challenge is an up- heaval due to new and unfolding regulations dictated by the prov- ince," Lawlor said. "Several piec- es of new legislation and regula- tion, including theso-called More s Built Faster Act, threat- an scitizen participation, years of planning processes, natural heri- tage protection, climate action and heritage preservation," she added. "We will be working with our municipal partners to raise our concerns about the impacts of this legislation,” said Lawlor, looking ahead to an eventful year. STORY BEHIND THE STO- residents and elected officials see as the top priorities for the new year. Have a Wonderful Christmas Season and a Safe and Happy New Year! michael.chong@parl.gc.ca www.michaelchong.ca eordyouy