Greater Sudbury's current economic development model is failing investors and entrepreneurs, says mayoral candidate Patricia Mills.
Mills said at a Tuesday morning press conference that, if elected, within her first 100 days in office, she will put in place a process to move the Economic Development Corporation out of Tom Davies Square and have the board report directly to the mayor's office.
That new office would act separate from the day-to-day operations of Tom Davies Square, and its purpose would be to actively seek opportunities that create jobs and add value to the community.
The city doesn’t need an economic development facilitator as proposed last week by the mayor, she said. It's the mayor who should be responsible for making sure Sudbury's economy is moving forward, and that developers are able to build their project without having to cut through all the red tape.
“There have been so many instances of businesses that have been waiting for years for permits, to move forward, and some of those developers have had to wait so long they've had to reapply for their permits,” Mills said. “When you have companies that have to reapply for their permits because their file is sitting on a desk somewhere after two years, you have a serious problem. That's not welcoming economic development, that's hindering economic development.”
Her plan would be to give the economic development board more autonomy, as board members are successful entrepreneurs who have the knowledge to help developers, she said.
“My plan is to be the facilitator,” Mills said. “The mayor should be the one heading up economic development in the city of Greater Sudbury. The mayor is the one out there meeting with the business community, and the mayor is the one who should be facilitating that.”
She said she would hold weekly meeting with clear goals that will need to be reached.
“Every week, I want to know how many permits have been applied for, and where are they in the process,” she said. “This will keep people accountable for the jobs for which they are being paid and giving autonomy to a volunteer board of business people who know how to move the process forward.
It will be a very strict accountability process.”
Following is the full text of Mills' release:
Patricia Mills is calling for a new approach to attracting investments to the city and greater cooperation and service for investors, entrepreneurs and developers.
“My priorities as Mayor will be to hold the line on taxes by ensuring wise use of our tax dollars. This will mean line-by-line review of spending and creating an environment of efficiency at city hall; ensure that roads and infrastructure projects are well managed; and that the city is open and transparent to its citizens.”
Mills says holding the line on spending is just one strategy to better balance the books. These strategies need to be combined with a sustained and collaborative effort to promote Greater Sudbury as a great and affordable place to do business.
“As Mayor, I will make growing our economy a top priority. Economic growth will help us meet our goals of keeping tax rates low and maintaining and upgrading our infrastructure.”
Mills is critical of the Mayor and his stewardship of the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation. “Under his leadership, we’ve replaced new, bold ideas with dipping into out reserve funds to hold the line on taxes. And we’ve replaced strategic investments with massive borrowing. Our city deserves better.”
If elected, Mills will create a new economic development office that is separate from the day-to-day operations of Tom Davies Square. The office would report directly to the Mayor and its purpose would be to actively seek opportunities that create jobs and add value to the community.
Mills proposes to re-design the current GSDC to provide the Board with the autonomy they need to get things done.
“This effort has to be taken out of city hall and be given to the creativity and energy of the greater community. If my years of business experience have taught me anything, it’s that there is no substitute for setting goals, hard work and building the right team.
“I will be there every step of the way, assisting in promoting our community and making investors and entrepreneurs welcomed in our community.”
Mills believes the current model of economic development is not capturing the incredible assets the city has built over time. The growing mining technology cluster has innovated into areas from software development to electric mining equipment.
On diversification we can look to Science North that has spawned a globally recognized business in exhibit design. Cinéfest has helped to create a multimillion-dollar local film and production industry. Our large bilingual workforce has assisted us in coming out on top as Canada Revenue consolidates it operation – creating many jobs in the process.
Mills says that in her meetings with business people, one thing has become abundantly clear: developers, existing business and budding entrepreneurs don’t feel like city hall is a part of their team.
Instead, she’s heard that development fees, bureaucratic delays and road blocks in permitting and inspections have created an adversarial environment for investment and development.
Mills understands the need for rules and regulations around development. Investors and developers understand these requirements as well, as it is in their best interests to ensure they protect their investments with projects that comply with regulations.
“It’s the time factor that we have consistently heard is a problem; it’s the unwillingness to look at new or innovative ideas and development approaches that is a problem; that’s what we’ve heard from the business community – that moving projects forward in the city of Greater Sudbury is more difficult than elsewhere in Ontario. That’s not acceptable.
“As Mayor, I will undertake to ensure that we benchmark the service we provide to the investment and development community. I will take a personal interest in ensuring that we set standards for the process and timing around development, permitting and inspections. I believe we need to create a culture of customer service at City Hall, which respects the rules but equally respects the need for timely and supportive service.”
Mills says the city doesn’t need a facilitator as proposed last week by the mayor.
“We need to hold people accountable for the jobs they are already paid to do. We need to create the benchmarks for performance that balances the need for public safety and transparency with a welcoming environment for growth and development.”
I will take a personal interest in ensuring that we set standards for the process and timing around development, permitting and inspections. I believe we need to create a culture of customer service at City Hall, which respects the rules but equally respects the need for timely and supportive service.”
If you need a facility, as suggested by Brian Bigger, that tells you there's a problem – In order to keep taxes low, we need more jobs, and we need more development, and that goes hand in hand with my goal.
My job is to help them, not hamper them, to cut the red tape and get things done.
In my first 100 days, I will make sure we have a process in place for this to happen.
