I was happy to participate at the Wurth Canada Limited Groundbreaking ceremony today. These are my speaking notes for the event:  I am very happy to be here today!  Welcome Mr. Ernie Sweeny, President and CEO of Wurth Canada Limited, and your entire team to Guelph.  We are very proud to be welcoming a division […]

There is a lot of excitement in the community about the upcoming HGS Job Fair.  I attended the 23rd Annual Guelph Wellington Employer Recognition Event this morning and it was one of the topics of conversation over breakfast. There are 19 community agencies that form the Employment Coordination Committee of Guelph Wellington – NINETEEN!  All […]

When I read letters to the editor that express concern about our water supply in light of the growth of our city, I understand the concern.  There was one this week in the Guelph Tribune. At the end of his letter, Mr. MacKinnon wrote: “All I want to know is how will Guelph provide this […]

Congratulations to Hitachi Construction Truck Manufacturing Ltd. on their grand opening today. Herewith my speaking notes at the event: • I am thrilled to be here today! I am pleased to welcome to Guelph Mr. Michijiro Kikawa, Chairman and Director of Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd. (parent company) • And Mr. Eiji Yamamoto, Consul General of […]

  Reid’s Heritage Homes chosen to build Net Zero Energy homes

I have said it in two “State of the City” addresses – doing business differently is politically risky.  I take it back. Talking about doing business differently is politically risky. Doing business differently means many things at City Hall.  One of the things it means is to strengthen our ability to work with the private, public […]

I was impressed with the facilitation at our recent Economic Summit that had been arranged by the Planning Committee.  It certainly contributed to a successful event and the notes are quickly being assembled to develop next steps. Here are my introductory remarks along with some of the visuals that were presented for those unable to […]

There are many positive outcomes expected from the City’s investment in Prosperity 2020, the community’s economic development strategy that was completed in 2010.  In my opinion, the core outcomes expected are: Jobs – we have established 67 jobs for every 100 residents as a job rate target for our city (we are currently doing a […]

What a great Economic Summit we just had! I was impressed to see leaders from our business community and local government come together to discuss the City of Guelph and County of Wellington’s economic development plans.  It was true cross-section of representation from small to medium businesses, manufacturing, arts and culture, tourism, agriculture, to academic, […]

 We are starting the year on a high note with an Economic Summit to discuss the City of Guelph and County of Wellington’s economic development plans for the coming years. The inaugural Economic Summit will be held on January 15, 2013.  This is a great opportunity to look back and see where we are with […]