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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Wednesday, March 20, 2013 | 24 Rotary Club of Oakville West THE 2013 OAKVILLE AWARDS Eroding non-residential tax base influencing plans for the future Oakville is an affluent community at the western end of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Sixty-three per cent of the town's population who are employed leave the community every day to work. This statistic is 50 per cent higher than the provincial average. Over the past three decades the non-residential share of the town's tax base has declined from more than 30 per cent to less than 14 per cent. This decline has resulted in a greater burden of costs being placed not only on residential properties, but higher levels of taxation for business as well. Business property taxes range from more than two to three times the residential rate yet businesses typically use less than half of the services used by an average household. The continued decline in industrial/commercial assessment as a percentage of total assessment is a very real concern and its continued erosion could put Oakville in a precarious position with residents and existing businesses shouldering more of the tax burden. The plan identi es four key areas: · Advanced Manufacturing · Professional & Financial Services · Digital Media & Animation · Life Sciences In the past two years, Siemens Canada, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Canadian Tire Financial Services have all located in Oakville. Rockstar Toronto, located in Oakville, added 50 positions to its location in the last year. Rockstar is considered one of the top game developers in the world, creating titles such as the Grand Theft Auto series, L.A. Noire, Bully and more. DevBBQ and Jasper Interactive Studios, both cutting-edge software and web companies, set up shop in Oakville recently. Sheridan College is exploring opportunities to partner with Chengdu University in China to open a satellite campus. of life science activity between research centres in Toronto and Hamilton. This important component of the strategy will create jobs that are suitable for the education level and income expectations of current and future residents. The Economic Development Department acts as an internal advocate for business with the town, but also as an advocate for the town to business and, working with the chamber, acts as a bridge between the town and business. For further questions about economic development opportunities in Oakville, please contact the Oakville Chamber of Commerce or the Economic Development department at the Town of Oakville. Oakville's economic development How can we help Contact Oakville's Economic Development Department (econdev@oakville.ca, or 905845-6601) or the Oakville Chamber of Commerce (info@oakvillechamber.com or 905-845-6613) with your business questions. Increased activity Oakville's Award-winning Economic Development Plan (2009-2019), developed in consultation with the Oakville Chamber, targets areas to ensure increased economic development activity for Oakville. New areas for growth bring new opportunities The town is in active discussions with various stakeholders regarding options for the life sciences park. This geographic presence will complement the corridor Thank you Nomination! for the Congratulations J. Y. JEWELLERY Specializing in Hand Made Wedding Bands and Platinum. Custom Rings and Repairs FRANCIE BUJNA, Broker Manager, Oakville Operations Glen Abbey Branch, 251 North Service Rd. W. moen.ca Christina Balaci Tel: 905-337-9200 Office: 416-368-1730 Jyjewelleryinfo@aol.com Facebook.com/jyjewelleryLtd office: 905-338-3737 direct: 905-849-3379 cell: 905-330-1047 email:franciebujna@royallepage.ca 207 Cross Ave. Oakville, Ont. L6J 2W9 Registered Massage Therapy Chiropractic Care Naturopathic Medicine & Nutritional Consulting Acupuncture Shiatsu Therapy Reiki Healing www.wellnessforthebody.com 905.465.4595 2418 Lakeshore Road W, Oakville Naturopathic Medicine Holistic Nutrition Osteopathy Acupuncture Reflexology Psychotherapy Energy Therapy Holistic Skin Care Wellness for the Body 905-849-1100 · admin@drjasonlee.com 114 Elmwood Road, Oakville