City of Hamilton’s Planning and Economic Development Department present its 2019 operating budget

Hamilton, ON – Hamilton City Council’s General Issues Committee was presented today with the 2019 operating budget from the Planning and Economic Development Department.

Planning and Economic Development Department General Manager, Jason Thorne, outlined the services and initiatives delivered by staff in 2018 and presented an outlook for 2019, which included a summary of 2018 accomplishments as well as measures of success. The presentation also outlined its major initiatives in 2019.

Together with its partners, the Planning and Economic Development (PED) Department brings the City’s vision to life through effective planning for existing and future communities, processing of development applications, support for new and existing businesses, delivery of major infrastructure and development projects, support for the City’s heritage, culture and arts and ensuring the health, safety and well-being of the public through compliance with municipal by-laws.

PED staff work to make the City an attractive and desirable place to live and work, to reach out to and attract investors and then to turn that interest into approved, built projects.

Overall, preliminary 2019 operating budget request from the Planning and Economic Development Department is a total increase of $798,920 or 2.7 per cent increase from 2018.

2018 Highlights

• Continued high development activity
• Exceeded $1 billion for 8th time in last 9 years
• Residential construction just over 2500 units, one of the highest levels in recent years
• Strong non-residential construction, including $140 million in new industrial construction
• Record levels of hotel stays, museum visits and film permits, reflecting continued strong growth in the culture and creative sectors
• Continued work to advance the delivery of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) project and the development of the City’s West Harbour lands
• Delivery of critical growth-related infrastructure including new and expanded roads and cycling facilities and water and wastewater infrastructure

Also presented on the City’s ongoing Open For Business (OFB) initiative, which has resulted in faster development approval timelines in a number of key areas.

Highlights of major initiatives in Planning and Economic Development in 2019, pending Council approval, will include:

• Servicing and attracting development to the City of Hamilton’s airport employment district
• Continuation of the OFB initiative
• Delivery of key growth-related infrastructure including the North Waterdown Drive West of Centre Road
• Planning and servicing for future growth areas

Council is expected to consider final approval of the City’s overall tax operating budget by late March.

Learn more about the 2019 Budget

Additional resources

www.hamilton.ca/Budget2019