Yes, the City of Delta is open for business.
It’s a drum Mayor Lois Jackson has been banging for some time, a message she reiterated last Friday during an annual business breakfast at the North Delta Recreation Centre.
Mayor Jackson’s Economic Breakfast, which featured a who’s who of Delta’s business community, was an opportunity for Jackson, as well as CAO George Harvie, to highlight many of the positives their community has to offer, including location, economic incentives and a forward-thinking, fiscally responsible municipal government that knows how to accommodate new businesses and growth.
They also made sure to let everyone know about the municipality’s efforts to change its title from “corporation” to “city” as another example of Delta’s commitment to boost economic and industrial development.
“I’m confident that you’ll agree with me that Delta does offer terrific opportunities for those of you who want to start a new venture here in Delta, (and) those who want to expand your existing corporations, and I’m here, and my staff is here, to work with you to grow your operations and fulfill your expectations,” Jackson told the crowd.
Noting Delta has much to offer when it comes to industrial areas, including Boundary Bay Airport, Tilbury and Annacis Island, Jackson added, “We know that protecting and growing these key locations for business is vital not only for our local economy, but it is the very best interest of British Columbia and the Canadian economy.”
The event also heard from several guest speakers, including Delta MP Carla Qualtrough, who described Delta as both “the little engine that could” and a “hidden gem.”
Provincial Minister of Community Sport and Cultural Development Peter Fassbender, also the minister responsible for TransLink, spoke about Delta’s important location as a gateway for trade.
“The City of Delta, and I’m going to start using that term, is leading Metro (Vancouver) in the kinds of initiatives that fit into the larger economic plan for the future of the province of British Columbia and Canada. This is the gateway to Canada from the Asia Pacific,” he said.
Fassbender was also enthusiastic about the George Massey Tunnel replacement bridge.
“I need to tell you, having lived out here for many years, I know this is all about opening up the gateway even more to economic growth. And those that object to that project do not see what the 10-, 15-, 20-year vision is that is seen by Mayor Jackson and her council,” said Fassbender.
Chris MacCauley, senior vice-president with the commercial real estate firm CBRE Canada, provided an industrial market outlook for Delta and the region, noting the industrial vacancy rate in the Vancouver market stands at 2.4 per cent, one of the lowest in North America.
He described that rate as unhealthy, saying new entrants to the region have few options to open facilities, while existing businesses can’t expand. He said the vacancy rate needs to be at least double that figure to be considered healthy but there’s a lack of supply.
He called Delta a “development friendly” municipality that has been “red hot” since 2014 and should see record construction levels next year.
George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project director Geoff Freer provided an update on the bridge, noting preload work is expected to begin in early March with the selection of a contractor for major design and construction by the summer.
Philip Seel, project sales manager for the Fraser Elliott Real Estate Group, told the audience Delta needs to continue its push for “smart density” to provide more housing options. He noted the Delta Rise highrise project in North Delta is a great example.
