Editor's Note: The Council Corner that appeared in the Feb. 21 edition of The Chief was incorrect, as the District mistakenly submitted a previously run column. The following is Mayor Kirkham's Council Corner column that was the intended subject matter for this week.
No truer words have been spoken, and when you watch the new business success videos launched this week by the District's Economic Development Office, you too will believe beyond a doubt.
I have been inspired once again this week by the incredible community that we call home. Innovative, successful business leaders from the manufacturing, education, tourism, hospitality, and high tech industries have come together to share their stories about why their businesses are thriving here. The goal? To inspire others to make similar choices and bring their businesses to Squamish. And why wouldn't you?
Lifestyle, workforce, location and growth. These are the four themes of the videos, and set the stage for the comments passionately shared by our business leaders. The common thread? That Squamish offers the best of all worlds incredible location offering access to major markets worldwide via a highly integrated transportation infrastructure; access to a young, energetic, passionate, educated workforce; the ability for employers to offer employees more than just a job with the outdoor recreation-based lifestyle available here; and unlimited growth opportunities because of all the things just mentioned.
Thank you to the business leaders who shared their time and their stories with us through these videos. Your participation in this project is very much appreciated, and your stories have inspired us. We know, too, that your stories just begin to scratch the surface of the depth of the business community here. Our local businesses employ several thousand people all told, and contribute extensively to the very fabric of our community.
The business videos are really a product of working together. The stories were made possible by relationships developed with business operators through our business retention and expansion program. Thanks to our work with Community Futures Howe Sound and support of the Economic Development Association of B.C., we have personally met close to 130 business operators in Squamish in just over a year and while gathering valuable input, we heard amazing stories. Now, as we move through our economic development work plan, we will place more focus on reaching outside the community to help attract business investment. The information, relationships and stories we have developed with our business community will play a vital part of that investment attraction.
Thank you also to the Squamish Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Squamish and the Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association for your great input into the video production process. The videos are available for viewing and sharing at www.squamish.ca/businessvideos
