Positive Economic Results for Halton's 2nd Quarter

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Halton Region’s “Economic Development 2nd Quarter 2013 Report” was presented to Halton Regional Council on October 2, 2013.  The report provides Council with highlights of business investment and economic activity in Halton over the second quarter (April to June) 2013.

“Attracting and retaining jobs is a priority in Halton Region’s Citizens' Priorities Action Plan,” said Regional Chair Gary Carr. “And our efforts to assist businesses to establish or expand operations in Halton are paying off – Halton’s unemployment rate in the second quarter remained historically low at 4 per cent, markedly lower that the region’s five year average unemployment rate of 5.6 per cent and significantly lower than the provincial rate of 7.5 per cent.”

The report also noted:

•        Industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) building permit values in Halton all increased in the second quarter compared to the same period last year.  Industrial building permit value increased 81 per cent, commercial permit value rose 24 per cent and institutional was up 24 per cent compared to the same period last year.

•        Companies in Halton’s growing technology-based sector received $1.3 million in research and development through the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program earlier this year.

“More and more businesses, such as Target, Siemens, Lowes Canada and UPS are choosing to call Halton home,” added Chair Carr.  “Combined, these four companies will bring more than 2,000 jobs to the Region.   Recently PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) LLP opened an office in Oakville and Toronto Premium Outlets opened for business in Halton Hills.”