Spec Online

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?

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