Differing views on economic development

What's the best way to boost Hamilton's businesses?

For former mayor Larry Di Ianni, it's with the creation of an arm's-length development corporation.

But for Mayor Fred Eisenberger, it's using the city's existing economic development department.

The two campaign heavyweights are facing off on the issue after Di Ianni announced his plan to create a public/private economic development corporation yesterday. Di Ianni says the independent organization wouldn't replace or upstage the city's economic development staff, but rather give them more resources.

"It's to support our ec dev department with more money and people in the industry that will help provide guidance in a way that those of us that aren't in business couldn't do," he said.

The issue of creating an economic development corporation has a long history with Di Ianni and Eisenberger. In 2006, during their first race, both men promised to create a separate agency to promote existing business and attract new ones.

But Eisenberger hasn't created a separate economic development corporation during his tenure and argues it's not the best way for the city to operate.

"We did research when I got elected. We visited Halifax, Burlington, a number of other places that had arm's-length corporations, (and) discovered that you would have a two-tier economic development department," he said. "So, after all that research and lots of discussion with council and staff, we decided we needed to put in $1.5 million to staff it."

What do you think?

Comments

[Debbi R.]

wow...now I'm really depressed.....lol !!!

[Sick of nonsense]

Why can't the Mayor (whoever of the lesser evils that gets elected) and the new council (also, whoever of the lesser evils) do their jobs and stop hiring and wasting money on new and separate committees? I understand the need for outside advisors every now and then, although I always thought that was what staff and assistants were for. Money needs to be spent on the people of the city - put in new sewer pipes, do something realistic that will reduce poverty, fix the flooding highways. Enough wasting time on 'the stadium' issue and make a decision. Get off the fence and act. Get back to the reality of life in the city.
Politicians of Hamilton please start looking after those who put you in power to make the important changes for the people. No more mediators - grow up and learn how to act as responsible capable decision -making adults.
Don't make pie-in-the-sky camapign promises that you know will never come to fruition, tell us about the concrete acts that you will do and accomplish to make Hamilton a city to be proud of again.

[sobersecondthought]

I've been impressed when I've seen Tone Marrone. Sure he's an actor and former football player, but he's the only candidate for mayor that acts like a real leader. I don't think he'll take any crap as mayor, and, it surprised me how bright the fellow is. I'd like to learn more of his platform and plans for economic development.

[109000]

using committees in my opinion is often a delaying tool for politicians. Used properly in an efficient way may sometimes be productive if used in a collaborative manner. That does not seem to be how things have been handled.

[Dave]

LOL.. In respnce to to the mayoral candidate....

sorry to burst your bubble but the only "stock" in hamilton are of the soup variety handed out to those who need a meal.

Good luck with your pipe dream mr wannabe mayor!

P.s you have a better chance of watching the steelhawks come back and win the stanley cup!

[generic viagra]

For decades, economic development professionals have struggled to explain what it is they do to friends, family, and other professionals. No matter what answer they come up with, one thing is clear: the need for this statement is pressing, and we applaud their efforts in leading the way in branding ED.

[ed]

You're dreaming Glenn, but then thats what elections are all about hey, big dreams, big lies and pretending poverty is an issue. Do you guys ever visit, umm, EARTH!! The whole city is a false facade and k9 is right, look behind not only the buildings but under the roads, its a crumbling mess. We waste millions on everything from petty pet projects and consultants to committees. Yet, night after night staff says we're broke, we're all sick of it, which is it for godsakes???
During the year we have money for a stupid new cityhall, which is nothing more than the same patchwork with paint that cost millions. Last few weeks the paper saying we have so much potential and growth, blah blah...Exactly which month is it that we go back to the "we're broke" story?, don't tell me..just around tax time, got it!!
I vote for the dog.

[Glenn Hamilton / Mayoral Candidate]

As I have mentioned in my last 2 Mayoral debate speeches, I would like to see a Venture Capital Stock Market here in Hamilton and take advantage of our Global Finance darling status worldwide. The Hamilton Stock Exchange! This would help to fund new and existing businesses. See more on my website hamiltonforhamilton.com
Glenn Hamilton
Mayoral Candidate

[k9]

the only jewel downtown was the eaton centre,what a waste of opportunity to give the core a boost.its rotting from the inside,disgusting washrooms worst then the gore park one that was torn down, ceilings crumbling,low budget discount stores everywhere. it would have made a great casino,but our councilors rejected that idea because they thought it would degrade the city.
what idiots we have running the city..
time to get out and vote until these fools learn we want real leaders and not prima donnas pet projects that will do nothing to revitalise the core eg. the lister building.

[k9]

if the counsilors think that just throwing money away will help hamilton downtown,then they havent walked around the core and look behind all those old decrepit buildings what you'll see is a bombed out kawait,crumbling getto buildings everywhere.
try a new approach like free parking, this might get people to visit the post apocalyptic city. what i see is people getting parking tickets for not putting their stubs on the right side of the winshield. its disgusting that if you do venture in the core ,theirs nothing there but discount stores and make believe government offices that dont bring in any revenue but we pay these civil servants big bucks to sit on their backsides all day looking out of their broken windows for customers that will never come.

[Peter Swire, CMA]

Adding an EDC on top of City Hall staff would be a waste of taxpayers money. Do one or another but not both.

However, no one seems to be asking the correct question. Why would a business be attracted to Hamilton?

Look at our record:

- the Great Stadium debate makes us look like children tossing sand in the playground
- no direct conenction to the national railway system
- at the end of this month, the only airline servicing Hamilton (Westjet) will take you to Calgary only
- an expressway that floods with nearly every storm
- railway underpasses that flood as well
- broken water mains on the west Mountain
- flooding of 1000 homes per year due to poor sewers
- 50,000 homes with lead pipe connections to the water mains
- brownfield sites which should be remediated
- the lack of key shopping destinations downtown
- high development charges

We cannot blame the recession on our ills. The handwriting was on the walls when the steel industry started its downward spiral in 1980. We need to look at a 10 year strategy to replace and expand our water, sewer and roadway infrastructure. We need to look at money to acquire and rehabilitate brownfield sites for new industry and homes. We need to get away from anti-employment strategies as development charges and bury the cost in the core property taxes. A total revitalization of King Steet east of James needs to be higher end people focused to make the city attractive to potential employees.

The creation of an EDC or an invigorated business development department will not solve the problem. The issue is higher up with the mayor and council to resolve.

[Paul]

The existing system needs an overhaul but privatising any of it will only make it even more difficult to keep accountable. then again given past political records sould that be the intent?

[Jay]

It sounds like a new spin on stratification,producing more layers to peel back before accountability has to be addressed.

[Peter Michael]

Not a fan of any of the mayoral candidates but Fred and Larry have both proven they can't get the job done. Unfortunately, that only leaves Bob. Lord have mercy on our city.

[ed]

Why does council always think spending money they say we don't have on committees makes us think they're doing something?...oh ya, council!