By Mayor Wayne Stetski

This is an excerpt from a talk given at the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce luncheon today (September 19).

Let’s move for a few minutes to an area that I know is of interest to all of you – our economy. When Mayors from other communities ask me how we’re doing my answer is we’re doing okay, our economy is diverse and relatively stable. Let me share with you some statistics to support that:

 Business licences – in 2011 we issued 1,318 business licences in Cranbrook. So far in 2012 we have issued 1,432 licences; an increase of 114.

 Building permits – the total value of construction permits up to the end of August was $24,117,039.31 which is a 33% increase over 2011. While some of that was due to damage to residences from the July windstorm new industrial development is at $3, 281,699 which is 3.5 times as much as we saw in 2011 ($925,000).

 Airport traffic – Passenger use is up six per cent over last year to date and we are on target to see over 113,360 passengers by year end, a 5% increase over 2011. While we will miss Integra Air, and look forward to seeing them return in future, they only accounted for half of one per cent of that increase. We are in a good position to attract WestJet into Cranbrook in 2013 and you can best help get them here by using the airport as frequently as possible. We are also looking to establish an industrial park at the airport capitalizing on access to transportation of goods by air. You can learn more about the Canadian Rockies International Airport by attending a Business after Business networking event being held from 5 – 7 pm on October 18 to help celebrate small business week.

 I am very much looking forward to receiving the report that I requested from the Chamber that will help us as a council better understand the barriers and challenges that businesses face here in our city. Knowledge is key to creating change – the more that you can collectively educate me and your council the better our decision making will be – so don’t be shy!

 There are three large projects on the horizon, all of which are important to the social fabric and general well-being of our 19,318 citizens, as well as being significant potential boosts to our economy:

1. A new intensive care unit for the hospital – estimated cost of $20 million and requiring Interior Health’s support.

2. A new homeless shelter and short-term transitional housing lead by the Salvation Army – estimated cost of $16 million and requiring the support of the BC Housing Commission.

3. Replacement of 60 year old Mt. Baker School with a new high school and neighborhood learning centre, which will also likely require a new Key City theatre. Cost estimate for the school ranges between $35 and $40 million dollars including the theatre and for a stand-alone theatre between $6 and $15 million dollars. The Ministry of Education is key for this initiative, and of course the Province of BC is central to all of them, and these are difficult fiscal times. Still, I live in hope, and having our MLA Bill Bennett back in Cabinet can only help.

I also have hope because earlier this year I met with a senior representative from the Bank of Canada who said they are projecting an improvement in the economy for 2013.

Other projects we are interested in pursuing include:

1. Further building relationships with Wonju, South Korea following the visit of six of their senior elected officials to Cranbrook in August.

2. Encouraging development in downtown Cranbrook subsequent to Council’s recent approval of the Downtown Revitalization Tax Exemption By-law which provides five years of tax relief for qualified improvements.

3. Establishing a first class tourism industry building on the great work being done by the Chambers Tourism Cranbrook sub-committee. We live in a first class area for tourism rich in scenery, wildlife and recreation – we need to focus on it and make it work for us and grow our visitor economy!

Mayor Wayne Stetski

Cranbrook

The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the City of Cranbrook

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