Over 150 real estate professionals from the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) attended the 2015 Halton Real Estate Forum: Gear up for Growth, on Tuesday, October 27, 2015. The event provided an opportunity for industrial and commercial realtors, developers and business owners to network and learn about economic and real estate performance trends and development cost competitiveness across Halton and the GTA.
Halton Region is one of the most attractive places in the GTA for businesses to locate. We are a growing community and that's good for business. We are also committed to delivering high-quality infrastructure, have convenient access to major markets and employers can access one of the most highly-educated workforces in Canada.
This year's event was held at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre in Milton, set against the stunning backdrop of the Niagara Escarpment. It gave real estate professionals an opportunity to network and hear from Regional staff and industry experts about Halton's strong economic activity and performance. The session featured several speakers and a panel discussion with industry leaders who provided their analysis and insights on office and industrial development opportunities and why companies are choosing to do business in Halton. Special guest, Steve Bauer, Milton Cycling Academy Head Coach and renowned Canadian professional cyclist, also introduced the venue and provided commentary for a cycling track demo by some of the club's elite cyclists.
Some highlights from the forum included:
- Halton Region's 2015-2018 Strategic Action Plan identifies Growing the Regional Economy as a key priority area.
- With its mix of leading companies and exceptional quality of life, Halton is a location of choice - one of the best communities in which to live and work.
- According to the 2015 Halton Business Conditions Survey, 67 per cent of Halton businesses cite high quality of life as a key advantage over competing GTA municipalities.
- Regional Council, in its approval of the 2015 Budget and Business Plan, authorized a pilot project to establish Area Servicing Plans (ASP) for key employment lands in each of the four municipalities.
- Proximity to GO train stations, highway corridors, amenities, access to talent and clients are some of Halton's strategic advantages.
- Halton communities are leaders in the GTA for new industrial and suburban office buildings.
This is the sixth year Halton Region's Economic Development division has hosted the Real Estate forum. The division works in partnership with the economic development offices at the City of Burlington and the Town of Halton Hills, the Town of Milton and the Town of Oakville. To learn more about Economic Development in Halton Region, or to view presentations from the 2015 Halton Real Estate Forum, visit halton.ca/investinhalton or dial 311.