News Release
Mayor Kelly welcomes Chamber Scorecard Findings and renewal of Economic Strategy
(Wednesday, January 12, 2011) - Mayor Peter Kelly today welcomed the findings of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce 2011 Economic Strategy Scorecard, saying it points to improved performance in key areas while underscoring the need to work in partnership to capitalize on our status as Atlantic Canada’s only economic hub.
This marks the close-out year for the five-year HRM Economic Strategy spearheaded by the Greater Halifax Partnership on behalf of HRM. A revitalized strategy for the next five years is in its final stages of development after extensive consultation throughout the public and private sectors, and is anticipated to go before Regional Council in early spring.
“Renewal of the Economic Strategy is the single most important economic development policy initiative currently before us,” said Mayor Peter Kelly.
The Chamber’s annual scorecard measures 28 targets and includes a mini-scorecard of the 11 areas in which HRM and the Greater Halifax Partnership have a direct role. Of the 11 targets, 5 received a red light (tracking below target) or yellow light (just below target), and 6 received a green or double green lights indicating targets are being met or exceeded. The overall light for the mini-scorecard is yellow, an indication HRM is approaching the stretch goals set out five years ago.
“We have had five years to learn what we do well and where we can improve, lessons we will carry with us as we adopt a new strategy to make HRM a more powerful economic engine for the entire region,” said the Mayor. “One of the things we are doing better is working with partners from across the public and private sectors and recognizing that we all have an oar in the water.”
The Mayor said Regional Council is proud to share in the successes pointed to in this year’s Scorecard, including:
• Crime rates are the lowest they have been since 2004, before this Economic Strategy began.
• HRM citizens are happy to call HRM their home. According to HRM’s 2010 citizen survey, 81% of respondents indicated the HRM is a “good to very good place to live”.
• The value of commercial and industrial building permits issued in 2009 was up significantly over 2008, at $614.18 per person. This is well above the 2009 national average, which was $522.03 per person.
• The commercial tax base in HRM grew by 4.71%.
“We have what it takes to build on these successes, to further improve business confidence throughout HRM, to see more projects built under the HRMByDesign downtown plan, and to encourage more immigrants to make HRM their home,” said the Mayor. “We look forward to a new Economic Strategy that will help us get there.”
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Contact:
Mayor Peter Kelly
490-4010
