City of Vaughan Pursues Economic Opportunities with the United States

June 3, 2014 9:00 a.m.

June 3, 2014

Mayor Bevilacqua and Members of Council welcomed Jim Dickmeyer, U.S. Consul General, and several U.S. Commercial Service staff to City Hall on May 27. The visit initiated a relationship between the City of Vaughan, the U.S. Commercial Service and the U.S. Consul General for the purpose of increasing export, business and trade relationships between American markets and Vaughan businesses.  

Mayor Bevilacqua continues to raise the profile of Vaughan on the international stage and recognizes that the U.S., as a neighbour and important trade partner, should be a market of focus. The City’s 10-year Economic Development Strategy: Building a Gateway to Tomorrow’s Economy articulates goals and initiatives to explore relationships with American cities for trade development as well as learning partnerships. 
 
The Mayor and Consul General discussed the Canada/U.S. Beyond the Border initiative, which continues to engage with stakeholders to streamline the flow of people, goods and services, but also to raise opportunities for foreign direct investment. At the conclusion of the meeting, staff from the City’s Economic Development department and the U.S. Commercial Service agreed to work collaboratively to design a Vaughan/U.S. business event to leverage export/import opportunities for Vaughan businesses.
 
QUOTE
 
“The City of Vaughan is dedicated to building joint economic development initiatives and pursuing opportunities with international partners. Our meeting with the U.S. Consul General and the U.S. Commercial Service is an illustration of our commitment to supporting our existing business base that is exporting to the U.S. Building strong business relations and increasing the City’s presence on the international stage allows Vaughan to remain competitive in today’s fast-paced global economy.”
– Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
  
QUICK FACTS  
  • Vaughan has a business base of 10,000 businesses that includes the world and corporate headquarters of more than 100 companies.
  • The goal of the City of Vaughan’s Economic Development department is to help local companies grow by bringing businesses, organizations, government and communities together to achieve results.
  • Vaughan’s sectors of strength (e.g. manufacturing; professional, scientific and technical services; transportation, warehousing, logistics and distribution; educational, health care and social services; building products and cultural industries) lend themselves well to cross-border economic co-operation. 
  • Beyond the Border is a Canada/U.S. Action Plan that sets out joint priorities for achieving four areas of co-operation: addressing threats early; trade facilitation, economic growth and jobs; cross-border law enforcement; and critical infrastructure and cyber-security.
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Jennifer Ladoceur, Director of Economic Development, Marilyn Iafrate Ward 1 Councillor, Ben Mascioli – Trade Assistant, Jim Dickmeyer – Consul General, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua, Stefan Popescu – Trade Specialist, Tony Carella Ward 2 Councillor, Tim Simmonds, Executive Director, City Manager’s Office.