Delta is open for business.
That was the message delivered by Mayor Lois Jackson at her annual Mayor's Economic Breakfast at Tsawwassen Springs last Friday. A receptive audience of around 200, including business leaders, politicians and representatives from a variety of groups, attended the event to hear about Delta's economic incentives and how the community is ideally situated for investment.
They heard an enthusiastic speech from Jackson as well as several guest speakers who reiterated her message about Delta's positive climate for business.
"We are not standing idle, nor are we standing on our laurels. We are in motion, we are growing. We are evolving and we are committed. We are looking for new innovation and new ideas for doing business with you," Jackson said.
The six-term mayor cited several projects, including the 37-storey Delta Rise condo development in North Delta and economic incentives to encourage environmental remediation and commercial/industrial development of former landfill sites.
Other areas targeted for incentives include the Ladner waterfront as well as the Scott Road and 72nd Avenue corridors. Delta is also embarking on a business sustainability strategy
and has established a mayor's standing committee to see it through.
Jackson also talked about Delta's "pay as you go" fiscal policy that will result in the municipality being debt-free in a couple of years.
The veteran civic politician said Delta faces challenges, which is why it's important to be proactive in areas like Terminal 2 and the George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project.
Delta Liberal MP Carla Qualtrough, who made a number of public appearances over the past week, also addressed the audience, saying "Delta hits above its weight class" when it comes to its contribution to the Canadian economy and role in being a gateway for international trade.
She said Delta should "get a fair share" of infrastructure funding that will be made available by her new government.
Delta North MLA Scott Hamilton congratulated Jackson on her economic initiatives, adding his government is about to deliver another balanced budget.
Dayhu Group of Companies president Paul Tilbury talked at length about the attributes of his massive Boundary Bay Industrial Park warehouse distribution space built next to the Boundary Bay Airport.
He also the mentioned positives Delta has to offer, including a municipal government that's accommodating. He said Delta
is open for business and "there is a get it done, not at any cost, but get it done approach."
Shato Holdings president Ron Toigo, owner of Tsawwassen Springs,
told the audience Delta had become "a no growth community" when Jackson took the helm in 1999, but she assembled a good team, including CAO George Harvie, to develop "win-win"
development policies.
He said he knows firsthand what the Southlands development application and public hearing was like for Century Group president Sean Hodgins, who was also in attendance, adding Delta gave their development applications a fair chance and is open to new ideas.
Noting a new bridge is more than just about cars, as it's also about transit and cycling, George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project
director Geoff Freer spoke briefly about the provincial bridge project, saying the majority of people during consultations conveyed they didn't want another tunnel.
Harvie was the final speaker before a few questions were taken from the audience. He said the Southlands development vision was ahead of its time, but that vision has become something people want now. He said council's final approval is expected mid-2016 and then initial site works can commence.
Harvie also talked about the new bridge, noting "it's not supported by the mayors north of the Fraser River because they want the money for themselves." He added "any kind of seismic problem" could ruin the current tunnel, something that would be devastating for commuters for five to seven years until a replacement crossing was built.
