OSHAWA – Today, Oshawa Mayor John Henry delivered his State of the City Address to more than 200 of Durham Region’s most influential business and community leaders at the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce’s annual Mayor’s luncheon.
Mayor Henry focused on the new Oshawa story – one of economic success, collaboration and a bright future for local businesses and the city.
Mayor Henry thanked Durham Region business leaders for their confidence and investment in Oshawa, which has been integral to the growth and continued diversification of the local economy.
“In just 10 years, Oshawa has realized a major economic transformation and has transformed into a dynamic health science, education and advanced manufacturing hub,” said Mayor Henry.
He noted recent examples that tell the new Oshawa story, including:
- $614 million city – for the first time in Oshawa’s history, the City surpassed $600 million in building permits in one year and shattered 10 building records
- No. 1 City for year-over-year job growth in Canada – Daily Commercial News
- 2nd Best City in Canada to buy real estate and No. 1 in the G.T.A. – MoneySense Magazine
- Oshawa’s G.D.P. projected to grow 2.4% in 2018 – Conference Board of Canada
- 2nd Best Investment Strategy among small American cities – FDI Magazine
He then turned to Oshawa’s bright future.
“Our city is experiencing unprecedented growth,” explained Mayor Henry. “The City’s Development Services team is tracking more than 50 current and proposed projects that represent over $4 billion of investment and over 40,000 associated jobs.
Mayor Henry also touched on new partnerships and initiatives that will drive Oshawa’s bright future, including:
- Teaching City – The City and educational partners have formally partnered to make Oshawa a ‘Teaching City’. This collaboration steers Oshawa into the future as a globally recognized community of urban research and learning.
- Smart Cities Challenge – The City is participating in Infrastructure Canada’s Smart Cities Challenge. This national competition addresses community priorities using new technology and data driven solutions.
- The Oshawa Downtown Streetscape Design Vision, which will guide development within the public areas of downtown, with a specific focus on the Downtown Oshawa Business Improvement Area.
Mayor Henry highlighted some of the exciting new developments in the city, including Atria’s luxury apartment buildings in downtown Oshawa, the redevelopment of the Genosha, new investments in post-secondary buildings and the expansion of the GO Rail system beyond Oshawa.
He also talked about Oshawa’s waterfront, noting that in 2018, the West Wharf and Marina lands will be redeveloped for municipal public use and a new pedestrian bridge will open on the Waterfront Trail.
For more information on Economic Development Services and business and investment news, visit www.oshawa.ca/business.
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