Vaughan recognized for advancing economic opportunities and attracting investments

The following statement was issued by Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua after a virtual ceremonial presentation during today’s Council meeting:

"I am pleased to announce the City of Vaughan has received four awards from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The IEDC is the largest organization of its kind, with a mission to offer leadership and excellence in economic development to its members. Each year, IEDC's Excellence and Leadership in Economic Development Awards recognize the world's best economic development programs, partnerships, marketing materials and influential leaders. These awards honour organizations and individuals worldwide for their efforts to make meaningful and positive changes in their communities. 

"The City of Vaughan won four prestigious awards for programs, projects and events carried out in 2020. The Vaughan Business website – vaughanbusiness.ca – received the Gold Award in the General Purpose Website category. The Activate!Vaughan Innovation Program received the Gold Award in the Entrepreneurship category. The Vaughan Rising Podcast received the Bronze Award in the Digital Media category. And the Breaking News Familiarization Tour received the Bronze Award in the Special Event category. 

"Vaughan is on the leading edge of innovation. We place sustainability and creativity at the forefront to advance our growing city. By creating more than 60,000 jobs since 2010, encouraging investment and pursuing opportunities that enhance our high quality of life, Vaughan is solidifying its place as and economic leader in the Greater Toronto Area. We are committed to business excellence.

"In May 2020, the City's Economic and Cultural Development team launched vaughanbusiness.ca as the new digital home for the City's business services, resources and market intelligence. The website provides information and resources for businesses within and surrounding Vaughan and our diverse community of entrepreneurs, prospective investors, site selectors, realtors and potential residents. It also features a dedicated COVID-19 section with information about measures and programs implemented by the City to support the local economy.

"Earlier this year, we launched a first-of-its-kind program in Ontario – the Activate!Vaughan Innovation Program – which connects high-potential entrepreneurs to market-driven opportunities and mentorship from industry leaders. The program has created more than 50 new jobs and spurred the development of solutions that generate social and environmental benefits for the broader community. Programs like Activate!Vaughan energize Vaughan's economic prosperity, showcase our entrepreneurial spirit, and promote environmental stewardship — all priorities outlined in our Strategic Plan.

"The Vaughan Rising Podcast is an economic development marketing tool developed to attract investment to Vaughan as an intensifying urban centre and a prime location for business in the GTA. The podcast tells detailed stories that cultivate interest in the city of Vaughan. It has a far-reaching impact and has been downloaded more than 13,000 times by users in more than 50 countries.

"In November 2020, Tourism Vaughan hosted Vaughan's first Familiarization Tour for business meeting planners. The tour's goal was to introduce Vaughan as a destination of choice to host unique and memorable business events and increase economic activity through money spent during business meetings. It resulted in two Vaughan-based events delivering an economic impact of approximately $30,000 to our local economy.

"These four awards recognize Vaughan's continued commitment to advancing economic opportunities, attracting new investments and enabling a climate for job creation. I want to extend my congratulations to the City's Economic and Cultural Development department. Their dedicated efforts to promote Vaughan as a city of choice are attracting investment and creating greater opportunities and outcomes for our citizens and businesses. Congratulations on these outstanding achievements."

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