Vaughan. Business Link. BUSINESS NEWS AND STATISTICS FROM THE CITY OF VAUGHAN YEAR IN REVIEW 2013 Impmprorove Cananaadada’s neww 32032020,0000000-s0-0-ssq.fqqfq..f.ft.t. comcocomommemmererciaciciiaallr retaeet ill buibuiildiddiinngg renr derd iningngn . THE TRANSFORMATION OF VAUGHAN GIVING AND GAINING MORE – INTO A MAJOR URBAN CENTRE VAUGHAN BUSINESSES STEP UP AGAIN What does it take to transform a City? It takes a vision, strategy and leadership to make Is there a measurable payoff for corporate social responsibility it happen. With the accomplishments and progress this Council and administration has (CSR)? When companies get the mix of “what” causes or made on the City’s strategic plans, Vaughan is now realizing the transformation from issues, and “how” or approaches to adding value, philanthropic a suburban community into a major urban centre. activities and competitive advantage become mutually reinforcing. Whether we think in these terms, or just have The City of Vaughan’s 10-year Economic Development Strategy of 2010 provides visceral need to give of ourselves, we all benefit. a blueprint for Vaughan’s future economic growth. While it’s focus is on developing Vaughan as an economic centre for attracting investments and jobs, it also places equal This past holiday season, we saw the generosity of local importance on creating a thriving, vibrant community that offers an impressive quality Vaughan businesses. More than 70 businesses donated toys of life and high level of connectivity. The City continues to reach out to residents, and cash towards the CP24 CHUM Christmas Wish program. businesses, media, academic institutions and government agencies to foster the Local firms such as TITAN Equity Group Ltd., contributed transformation of Vaughan into a dynamic urban centre. in the collection of more than 10,000 toys for children in Vaughan continues to experience tremendous growth. Figures from the 2010-2013 York Vaughan and across the Greater Toronto Area. “We strongly Region estimate show a population growth of more than 24,000 new residents in the believe in giving back to the community,” said Terry Kotton, past three years. Between 2012 and 2013, the number of businesses in Vaughan grew President of the TITAN Gives Back program. by 3.7 per cent. The City invests millions of dollars every year in capital projects to build This sentiment of giving back resonates throughout the year. new or improve existing infrastructure. Vaughan is committed to city-building, as well “Our contribution of $1 million to Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital as providing residents and businesses with services that focus on a healthy and safe is made possible because of the generosity of our businesses,” community, while encouraging innovation and prosperity. said Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua. “When we build these projects, we are also supporting our families, our residents and We have seen great progress on several important initiatives in 2013 – the employees. Each of us has capacity beyond our imagination.” Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, Highway 427 extension, the subway extension and new development applications in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre. These The benefits of CSR are increasingly being borne out in “initiatives are an important part of Vaughan today that will have a lasting impact empirical evidence. The research is showing a causal link on our City’s future.” between CSR and financial performance – a better bottom line, employee satisfaction, staff loyalty, brand image and In 2013, the City experienced excellent growth in new businesses - there ability to attract new talent. A shout-out to Vaughan businesses are now more than 10,000 businesses here. Vaughan remains one of and supporters: giving more is also gaining more. Canada’s fastest-growing“ cities, with the annual value of construction activity surpassing the one billion dollar mark for the ninth time in 12 years. Major construction development projects in the residential, commercial, industrial and institutional sectors totalled $1.102 billion. Working together we are achieving our ultimate goal of becoming a world-class city. The City knows that economic growth opportunities are not only coming from locally grown companies, but also internationally from business owners looking to expand globally. “The City of Vaughan understands the important and dynamic role that cities play in global markets. We are now in a strong position to take advantage of our location and strong local economy and look beyond our borders,” said Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua. “The business mission to Israel this past October Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Terry Kotton, President of TITAN will result in an exciting collaboration with Centennial College Gives Back, with the donated toys. – a joint trade office in Tel Aviv. At a time when the Canadian economy continues to have challenges, this investment sets us apart. No other Canadian municipality has a trade office in Israel showcasing local industries and the advantages INSIDE THIS ISSUE of our diversified local economy.” ~1dX[SX]V0 ~<PaZTc8]SXRPc^ab Looking forward in 2014, Vaughan will focus on the World-Class City ~B\P[[1dbX]Tbb! " positive momentum of a healthy community, innovation ~4R^]^\XR3TeT[^_\T]c In Review and prosperity to build on the goal of becoming 2013 In Review ~4R^]^\XR a world-class city. ~2d[cXePcX]V0 Development Services Diverse Community Hon. Maurizio Bevilacqua, P.C., Mayor ~1dbX]Tbb1d[[TcX] $ million in planning grant Building A 49.7 received from the province World-Class City. for Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital Vaughan ranked th BEST 8 MID-SIZED CITY In 2013, the City of Vaughan completed the Healthcare Centre Precinct Plan. The Precinct Plan will help to facilitate the development of Mackenzie Vaughan - 2013 7^b_XcP[P]SPEPdVWP]7TP[cWRPaT2T]caT?aTRX]Rc^]P2Xch^f]TS'!PRaT parcel of land just north of Canada’s Wonderland. The City of Vaughan and Council is focused on creating a positive environment that encourages innovation and prosperity. Reaching out to businesses, major kilometres of subway institutions, agencies, and other levels of government to ensure the City’s 6.4 priorities are understood within the circles of decision-makers. The Economic tunnels completed in 2013 Development Department is committed to achieving the City’s goals through Revenue service is expected to begin by fall 2016 for the initiatives - such as the following: 8.6-kilometre extension of the Toronto Transit Commission’s Yonge-University-Spadina subway line to the new terminus, the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) Office Development studies: the City Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Station at Highway 7 and Jane St. engaged Altus Group to develop pro-forma estimates on potential office space typologies in the VMC. As well, the City undertook to review financial In November 2013, the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension (TYSSE) and development incentives being employed by other office centres in the celebrated a major milestone as the last tunnel boring machine (TBM) finished Greater Toronto Area. The premise of these studies was to gain a stronger the final tunnel drive for the twin tunnelling. The TBM broke through the understanding of the VMC’s competitiveness as an office node. headwall at the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) Station extraction shaft, located on the south side of Highway 7, just west of Jane Street. This sets the Familiarization Tour for Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and stage for the next phase of work in the tunnels, including installation of inverts Employment (MEDTE): in co-operation with the Region of York, Vaughan and walkways, track, traction power, signal and communication systems. hosted representatives from MEDTE’s international business development Starting in January 2014, along with VivaNext’s Highway 7 West rapidways group in October 2013. construction, hydro crews will begin to install underground hydro lines along Highway 7 from Edgeley Boulevard to east of Jane Street. This work will be York Region Broadband Strategy: the City is partnering with the Region of completed in segments over several months. York on reviewing high speed broadband connectivity as assets in attracting industries and post-secondary educational investments; and for the delivery For more information: of a myriad of services to residents. ~ CHBB4R^]bcadRcX^]X]U^a\PcX^][X]TPc '!!"% (!^aT\PX[ [email protected] York Region Post-Secondary Education Attraction Strategy: the City is ~ EXeP=Tgc7XVWfPh&FTbcAP_XSfPhb2^\\d]Xch;XPXb^]B_TRXP[Xbc working with the Region of York to develop the business case for attraction Pc($''%%&%&Tgc& !(^aT\PX[2PaaXTB[PccTah/h^aZRP of post-secondary educational institutions. In addition, the City has met with representatives from a number of colleges and universities to discuss Vaughan Metropolitan Centre their plans for expanding educational programming, as well as training, Hwy. 7 product commercialization and other industry-academic collaborations. 6 YORKIE TORKIE 5 Highway 427 Hwy. 407 Keele St. Highway 407 Northern Tunnel Drives Extension Underway 4 YORKIE TORKIE 3 Hydro Corridor Steeles Ave. LEGEND Planned North Tunnel Pioneer Village York University Contract Drives Planned South Tunnel Contract Drives York Completed Tunnel University (Excavation & Lining) 2 TORKIE Subway Stations YORKIE 1 Construction (Cut & Cover) CN / GO Barrie Line Tunnel Launch Sites Jane St. (Start of Tunnel Drive) Hydro Corridor Finch West Finch Ave. Don River 2 MOLEY HOLEY 1 Black Creek Downsview Park Moving forward on key infrastructure, Premier Kathleen Wynne Dufferin St. 4 MOLEY and other government officials announced capital budget funding Southern Tunnel Drives Downsview HOLEY 3 to enable construction of the Highway 427 extension beginning in Park Sheppard Ave. ! %! &CWXbX]UaPbcadRcdaTX]eTbc\T]cfX[[Tg_P]SQdbX]Tbb investment and job growth in the employment lands of the Vaughan Sheppard West (currently Downsview) 4]cTa_aXbTI^]TcWT_^cT]cXP[U^a#'\X[[X^]b`dPaTUTTc^UX]SdbcaXP[ Alllen R b_PRTP]S#%Y^Qb Map showing the route taken by the TBMs. R eelee St. Economic Development 2013 In Review. Left to right: Ted Sokolsky, UJA Federation President; Hon.