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“The best is yet to come,” says Milne at Mayor’s Annual Business Address

June 16, 2022   ·   0 Comments

Town of New Tecumseth Mayor Rick Milne hosted his annual Mayor’s Business Address before a sold-out crowd at the Gibson Centre for Arts & Culture on the morning of June 8.

Attended by business owners, members of Council, and other stakeholders, the two-hour event began with a video montage – featuring areas of interest, local businesses, attractions and information about New Tecumseth, as narrated by the Mayor.

In the theme of “The best is yet to come…,” Mayor Milne was introduced by emcee Blaine Parkin, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the Town of New Tecumseth, before discussing the local business economy and its journey over the past several years, outlining what the future could hold based on the current trajectory.

“New Tecumseth is outpacing national, provincial, and regional growth rates,” said Mayor Milne. “Since 2018, almost $450 million in building permits have been issued. Key investments in housing, environment, education, healthcare, and infrastructure from all levels of government are providing residents with a high standard of living and quality of life – confirming that the best is yet come… for New Tecumseth.”

During the event Mayor Milne also provided an economic update on the state of the Town. He focused on job creation, economic growth, and other key indicators that position New Tecumseth in a positive, forward direction. 

“Despite the universal challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic, New Tecumseth remains an economic powerhouse,” said Mayor Milne. “New Tecumseth is one of the largest economy and employment centres in Simcoe County.”

This year’s keynote speaker was John Kiru, who has 40 years of experience specializing in local business improvement and planning for municipalities.

Kiru, the Executive Director of the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA), represents Toronto’s 78 BIAs with a total membership of 35,000 small businesses and property owners.

He is also the creator of Digital Main Street – a virtual retail tech incubator that helps build partnerships between start-ups and BIAs to pilot new technologies with main street businesses. 

Kiru, who has family in the area, has previously “mystery shopped” our community businesses with help from New Tecumseth’s BIAs and reports that business in New Tecumseth is healthy.

“It was fabulous to get the business community, associations, organizations, Council and staff together again to celebrate our successes and look forward to the future,” he said of the Mayor’s Business Address.

Mayor Milne concluded his presentation by saying his service to the community over the past 30-years – through various community initiatives and council contributions – has been very rewarding, to which he received a standing ovation.

By Wendy Gabrek

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