Economic prosperity is the cornerstone of any successful community. As mayor of Chestermere, I focused on building a strong, diverse, and resilient local economy that could support both our growing population and our long-term future. My vision was to create an environment that not only attracted new businesses and industries but also empowered local entrepreneurs, supported job growth, and ensured that all residents had access to opportunities for personal and financial success.
Chestermere is ideally situated to take advantage of a range of economic opportunities, from its proximity to Calgary to its natural resources and growing infrastructure. Over the course of my time as mayor, we worked diligently to ensure that Chestermere could leverage these advantages while building a sustainable, diversified economy that could withstand economic downturns and thrive in times of growth.
In this blog post, I’ll outline some of the key strategies we implemented to foster Chestermere’s economic growth, create job opportunities, and build a strong foundation for future prosperity.
Attracting New Businesses and Industries
One of the primary goals of my economic development strategy was to attract new businesses to Chestermere. Economic diversification is crucial to ensuring that a community is not overly reliant on any one industry, so we worked to attract businesses across a wide variety of sectors, including technology, manufacturing, retail, and services.
We took a proactive approach to business attraction by working closely with the Chamber of Commerce, local business owners, and economic development professionals to create an environment where businesses could thrive. This included improving infrastructure, such as roads, public transit, and telecommunications, to ensure that businesses could operate efficiently and connect with clients both locally and globally.
Additionally, we focused on building a strong relationship with the business community by offering incentives for companies to set up operations in Chestermere. These incentives included tax breaks, grants for job creation, and support for companies willing to invest in our city. By offering these incentives, we made Chestermere a more attractive location for businesses looking to expand or relocate, which in turn helped create new jobs for residents.
We also worked to attract industries that aligned with our values of sustainability and innovation. For example, we targeted clean technology and renewable energy companies, encouraging them to set up operations in Chestermere. This not only helped grow our economy but also aligned with our commitment to creating a more sustainable future for the community.
Supporting Local Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses
While attracting new businesses is vital for growth, fostering a thriving local entrepreneurial ecosystem is equally important. Small businesses are the backbone of any economy, and I made it a priority to ensure that Chestermere’s local entrepreneurs had the resources and support they needed to succeed.
We worked to reduce red tape and make it easier for entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses in Chestermere. By streamlining the permitting process, providing clear guidelines, and offering business support services, we created an environment that encouraged entrepreneurship and innovation. Local businesses, whether in retail, technology, or the service industry, benefited from a city government that understood the challenges they faced and was dedicated to helping them thrive.
We also launched several programs aimed at providing local entrepreneurs with mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to funding. These programs helped small business owners connect with experienced mentors who could guide them through the challenges of starting a business, and with investors who could help them secure the capital they needed to expand. We also worked with local banks and credit unions to offer low-interest loans to small businesses, making it easier for them to finance their operations.
Chestermere’s small business community is a key driver of job creation, and by supporting local entrepreneurs, we not only bolstered our economy but also created a more vibrant and diverse city. The success of our local businesses contributed to the city’s overall economic health and helped foster a sense of community pride.
Investing in Infrastructure to Support Growth
For Chestermere to continue growing and attracting new businesses, it was essential that we invested in the city’s infrastructure. A strong infrastructure foundation is critical for economic growth, as it enables businesses to operate smoothly, residents to commute efficiently, and public services to be delivered effectively.
During my time as mayor, we focused on upgrading and expanding key infrastructure in several areas. We improved transportation networks, including roadways, public transit, and cycling infrastructure, to make it easier for people to travel around the city and access businesses and services. These improvements helped reduce congestion, lowered commute times, and made Chestermere more accessible to both residents and businesses.
We also worked to enhance Chestermere’s digital infrastructure, recognizing the growing importance of technology in today’s economy. High-speed internet and reliable telecommunications are essential for businesses to operate efficiently, particularly for remote work and e-commerce. By ensuring that Chestermere had access to high-quality digital infrastructure, we created an environment where tech companies and digital entrepreneurs could thrive.
In addition to transportation and digital infrastructure, we invested in utility systems, including water, sewage, and waste management, to ensure that Chestermere could continue to grow sustainably. These investments were not just about supporting current needs but also about preparing the city for future growth and ensuring that we could accommodate new businesses and residents without overburdening our infrastructure.
Expanding the Job Market and Workforce Development
A thriving economy depends on a strong workforce, and one of my primary goals was to ensure that Chestermere residents had access to job opportunities that matched their skills and aspirations. To achieve this, we focused on expanding the job market and investing in workforce development programs.
We worked to attract a range of industries to Chestermere, including healthcare, technology, and manufacturing, which helped diversify the types of job opportunities available to residents. We also partnered with local schools, colleges, and training centers to offer job skills programs, vocational training, and apprenticeship opportunities that prepared residents for a variety of careers.
In addition to workforce training, we also focused on creating more opportunities for youth and young adults entering the job market. By collaborating with local employers and educational institutions, we created internship programs, mentorship opportunities, and job fairs that connected young people with potential employers. These initiatives helped youth gain valuable work experience and make the transition into the workforce.
We also worked with local businesses to develop partnerships that would create more job opportunities for people with barriers to employment, such as those facing long-term unemployment or individuals with disabilities. By promoting inclusive hiring practices and ensuring that job opportunities were accessible to all, we created a more equitable job market and supported the long-term economic stability of Chestermere.
Fostering Tourism and Local Events
Chestermere is a city rich in natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and community spirit—elements that make it an ideal destination for tourists and visitors. I worked to foster Chestermere’s tourism industry by promoting local events, festivals, and attractions that would draw visitors to our city and contribute to the local economy.
We supported local events such as Chestermere’s annual festivals, farmers markets, and cultural celebrations, which brought residents and visitors together and showcased the best of what Chestermere has to offer. These events helped support local businesses by driving traffic to restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues, contributing to the economic vitality of the city.
We also worked on improving the city’s tourism infrastructure, including signage, accommodations, and visitor services, to ensure that Chestermere was a welcoming place for visitors. By promoting the city as a hub for tourism, we helped support local businesses and attracted new investment into the area.
Conclusion: A Thriving and Resilient Chestermere Economy
Building a strong, sustainable economy is a collaborative effort that requires foresight, innovation, and a commitment to supporting both businesses and residents. Throughout my time as mayor, I worked tirelessly to create an economic environment in Chestermere that was inclusive, diverse, and capable of thriving in a rapidly changing world.
By attracting new businesses, supporting local entrepreneurs, investing in infrastructure, and providing opportunities for workforce development, we built a foundation for long-term economic success. As Chestermere continues to grow, I am confident that the economic strategies we implemented will help the city remain resilient, vibrant, and ready to embrace future opportunities.