The tools are there. Now it’s execution time
Dave Hardy is a Scarborough booster.
For the past two years, he’s been the lead architect in the Scarborough Community Renewal Program.
He’s a community planner and Principal at Hardy, Stevenson and Associates Inc. He has a long history of community involvement.
So when he provides some guidance for Scarborough’s economic development, it pays to take notice.
The guest speaker at the Scarborough Business Association’s March networking and speaker breakfast, he laid out a roadmap to push Scarborough’s economy in a progressive direction. Among his points:
- Identify Scarborough’s core specialties
- Leverage what’s working
- Work closer with existing groups and/or create a GTA East Economic Development Corp.
- Revamp Scarborough’s brand
- Create a Scarborough specific economic development plan.
- Move City staff to Scarborough
- Support training and workforce development.
He suggested in recent years there have been a lot of positive moves. Among the “what’s working” includes entrepreneurial incubators like at Centennial College, Core investment at Scarborough Towne Centre, Transit hub development and the new transit planning, hospital investment, and the identity of culturally diverse and motivated residents.
The next networking breakfast and speaker meeting will be April 13, 7 a.m. at JC’s Grill House, 1686 Ellesmere Rd. Members $25 + HST; non-members $35 + HST. To register, click here.
Speaking will be Margie Galarneau and Neil Farmer from the City of Toronto Economic Development Department, presenting on business development programs and services offered to the Scarborough business community. Come learn about the support available to start-up and existing companies. From seminars on how to start a business to programs supporting research and development, there are many initiatives to help you grow your business.