Strengthening Vaughan’s economy
Highlights from the 2023 Strategic Economic Initiatives Year in Review
Helping businesses succeed with projects that support the community for years to come is central to the work of the City of Vaughan’s Economic Development department. One of the ways it achieves this goal is through the Strategic Economic Initiatives (SEI) team’s efforts to promote the growth of the city’s business community and attract businesses and talent to Vaughan.
An overview of SEI’s 2023 initiatives and achievements is outlined in the Strategic Economic Initiatives: 2023 Year in Review (PDF) – which was recently approved by Vaughan Council.
Here are some of the 2023 SEI highlights:
Supported the opening of the ventureLAB Hardware Catalyst Initiative MedTech lab in Vaughan.
Curated and installed the Selections from the Corporate Art Collection exhibition in the ‘on the SLATE’ atrium art gallery at Vaughan City Hall.
Participated in the Smart Cities Connect Conference and Expo in Denver, Colorado, to promote Vaughan’s strategic city-building projects on a world stage.
Vaughan Council endorsed a Strategic Intergovernmental Relations Framework to advance Council-approved initiatives, including advocacy efforts with other government levels led by the Head of Council. This same staff report also outlined the draft Mandate and Terms of Reference for establishing an Intergovernmental Relations Sub-Committee to support these efforts by further engaging Members of Council and key stakeholders.
Launched the ARTonBOXES program through the Group of Seven REMIXED pilot project, unveiling 12 original works of art in high-density traffic areas across the city.
Entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the McMichael Canadian Art Collection and Vaughan International Film Festival to advance the city’s arts, culture and creative industries.
Secured $2.5 million in grant funding from the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) to launch an OVIN Demonstration Zone, a testbed for emerging mobility solutions in Vaughan, in partnership with the City of Markham.
Received approval for a monumental Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Public Art Plan to implement a $2.1 million-program of contemporary art expression in three key locations at 7800 Jane St.
Relaunched the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct Advisory Task Force.
Partnered with York University to host the first annual Community Health Lecture at Vaughan City Hall.
Received support from the Council-led Accessibility Advisory Committee to pilot an indoor wayfinding project with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and GoodMaps to make six City facilities more accessible for those with vision-related disabilities.
Hosted the City’s first Intergovernmental Relations Sub-Committee meeting.
Organized and welcomed a delegation from Tropea, Italy to Vaughan City Hall, providing an opportunity for international promotion of city assets and an exchange of economic development best practices.
Received Council approval to proceed with the Digital Billboard Revenue Project Phase 2 to add eight digital billboard locations to the inventory, expanding the City’s communication network and increasing revenue share.
Received Council approval for the York Region-endorsed ARTonBOXES 10-Year Implementation Strategy that will see more than 100 new public art installations animate Vaughan’s public realm.
Secured more than $70 million in grant revenue – including the single largest amount of government funding in the City’s history through the Government of Canada’s Housing Accelerator Fund – to offset major capital and operating expenses and alleviate pressure on the tax base.
Looking ahead, the SEI team will continue to support high-impact economic development projects, including the ARTonBOXES public art program, the Creative Industries MOU, the Digital Billboard Revenue Project and the OVIN Demonstration Zone.
To learn more about the SEI team, visit vaughanbusiness.ca.
QUOTES
“The City of Vaughan is committed to building a world-class city where residents and businesses can thrive. The Strategic Economic Initiatives (SEI) team ensures the City continues moving forward by focusing on innovation, technology and targeted support for businesses. They are effective, innovative thinkers passionate about serving and growing Vaughan’s business community. The achievements summarized in this report are outstanding, and I look forward to all that is still to come from the SEI team.”
Mayor Steven Del Duca
“The City of Vaughan’s Economic Development department continues to provide businesses with a climate for growth and improve residents’ quality of life. The Strategic Economic Initiatives team plays a key role in fostering Smart City projects that use technology to solve civic challenges, leading Vaughan’s Public Art Program, which develops the city’s unique identity and economic vitality, and generating alternative sources of revenue for City programs through grants, sponsorships and donations. On behalf of the Senior Leadership Team – Executive, I want to congratulate the entire department on the initiatives outlined in this review.”
Nick Spensieri, City Manager
“The City’s Economic Development department is committed to undertaking projects that create business opportunities and attract talent in Vaughan. The 2023 Strategic Economic Initiatives Year in Review provides a snapshot of the transformative, ambitious and purpose-driven projects catalyzing stakeholders, talent and assets to drive creative placemaking in 2024. I want to congratulate the entire Economic Development team on the successes achieved to date, and I look forward to many more accomplishments in the years ahead.”
Raphael Costa, Director, Economic Development
QUICK FACTS
The City of Vaughan’s SEI team promotes the growth of the city’s business community and attracts businesses and talent to Vaughan.
The Strategic Economic Initiatives: 2023 Year in Review (PDF) showcases an overview of the SEI team’s initiatives and achievements.
Connect with the SEI team by email at ed@vaughan.ca or by phone at 905-832-8526.
LEARN MORE
- Economic Development’s Strategic Economic Initiatives: 2023 Year in Review (PDF)
- April 16, 2024, Committee of the Whole (2) Report: SEI Annual Report 2023 (PDF)
- Economic Development’s webpage
- Economic Development department’s eNewsletter
- Economic Development LinkedIn
