www.oakvillebeaver.com BUSINESS IN OAKVILLE Robert Milligan is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Oakville Economic Development Alliance (OEDA) as Oakville to have that brand name recognition," said Milligan. Oakville also has an Environmental Strategic Plan which underscores its commitment to the environment -- something many companies are in the market for these days. Businesses are also often in the market for visibility and employment land is available along the QEW and 403 -- potentially the 407 when north Oakville is developed. Milligan said the south Oakville land could in many instances be renovated to turn an underutilized site into the new home of an office building. "The environment and economy are not two solitudes, they are quite inter-related," said Milligan whose job it is to foster economic growth in an environmentally-sustainable way. That's right up his alley. Milligan, who was born in Toronto and grew up in Richmond Hill, graduated from the University of Waterloo where he specialized in environmental studies. He since married Janis Clarke and the couple have two children Alejandra, 13 and Jakob, 17. After having worked across northern Ontario and in Toronto, he jumped at the chance to head up the OEDA when the job came open two years ago. After graduation Milligan worked for in economic development and resources development for the Ministry of Natural Resources particularly in the area of water and resources policy and Great Lakes issues. Milligan worked in Cabinet Office responsible for government policy and then in Sudbury where he specialized in economic development in northern Ontario. Upon returning to Toronto, Milligan worked inthe Office of the GTA on issues related to growth management in the GTA and economic development in the GTA and had a hand in the establishment of the Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance, and was involved in the amalgamation of the City of Toronto and working on the former Greater Toronto Services Board. Through it all, Milligan's focus has been on economic development and environmental protection "and finding ways to accommodate both." OEDA was established by the Town of Oakville and the Oakville Chamber of The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday June 21, 2006 - 19 Living and working in Oakville By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF It's great to live in Oakville -- and even better to live and work here, according to Robert Milligan. For the past two years, it has been Milligan's job to do that -- to get businesses, and their employees, to come here to work, and hopefully live. Milligan is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Oakville Economic Development Alliance (OEDA). Along with a similar operation in Burlington, its the only one of its kind in the GTA. OEDA is what is usually a business department of municipal government. In the case of OEDA, it's a public/private partnership steered by a board that includes the mayor and two town councillors, as well as members from the Oakville Chamber of Commerce, including Oakville hospital members and the business community, including Ford of Canada, Zenon Environmental, UNIS-Lumin, Hatch Acres. Consensus reached by that board provides direction to Milligan on what his job is and how to do it. It's all underpinned by the town's vision that holds quality of life paramount. Businesses pay property taxes, often provides support for social services, volunteerism and local efforts. They also bring with them employees who spend part of their earnings locally. "It has a tremendous ripple effect," said Milligan. Oakville also places a high priority on live/work lifestyles and aims to achieve it via a host of activities from planning to more recently delving into the whole phenomenon of the creative class -- the knowledge traders who don't follow jobs, but rather who find jobs follow them. Oakville has a rich history as a major manufacturing centre and wants to hang on to it, but is also embracing the high-level firms that represent the design end of manufacturing -- like landing gear that is sold world-wide. Oakville also has the "brand name recognition" of being the home of head offices of such companies as Ford of Canada, Tim Hortons, Zenon, Canadian General Electric, and Goodrich. "Very few communities are as fortunate Commerce in 1999 to promote Oakville as a diverse live/work community with a sustainable economic base, that reinforces the health of the community and maintains the quality of life. The OEDA markets Oakville for business investment and as a prime tourism destination. At the bottom line, OEDA exists to retain local businesses, help businesses grow, attract new businesses -- and to develop tourism. Just as people are encouraged to "Indulge in a little Oakville" by visiting the many shops, spas, amenities and more in a town that's not small, but does retain its smalltown feel, Milligan does his homework and encourages businesses to come here, too. While north Oakville is set to develop, and interest is expected in the first real influx of new employment lands -- which are consumed at a rate of approximately 50 acres annually -- Milligan said it's not greenfields but the assets of existing vacant employment land along the QEW that can be rebuilt that are key to economic growth in town. It's also important not to forget that Oakville's top selling point is quality of life -- so that the balance between environment and economy, growth and quality of life remain. OEDA works to market Oakville to business. It delves into market intelligence by researching firms that may want to come here. It puts out brochures, CDs and attends trade shows to reach those companies. It works to tell companies why they, and their employees, would enjoy being in Oakville -- the skills of people here, the proximity to trade corridors, other venues in the GTA and southern Ontario, the international airports, the range of housing available, the schools, both public and private, the amenities -- the quality of life. "We think we've got a great package," said Milligan. Specialty Products Call Robert Butt for a professional consultative approach to your printing needs. 905. 845. 4549