NEW WESTMINSTER NEEDS BUSINESS ACUMEN IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO SPEED UP PERMITTING PROCESS, SUPPORT CAPITAL PROJECTS AND ADVOCATE FOR SMALL BUSINESS
New Westminster (August 25, 2022): “The economy is an important issue facing New Westminster residents and local business owners. It is the responsibility of our city council to carefully manage its available resources and support the growth and financial sustainability of local businesses of all sizes,” says Ken Armstrong, mayoral candidate with the New West Progressives (NWP). “There are so many initiatives that can be implemented to stimulate the local and regional economy, such as providing one-hour free parking in our main commercial districts. Unfortunately, the current New Westminster mayor and council simply do not understand economic development. If elected, my NWP council candidate colleagues and I will create policies and programs that support the efforts made by our local businesses while also encouraging residents to ‘shop local.’”
Operating a business, and in many cases, being a job creator, is hard work, especially in the current COVID-19 pandemic and inflationary environment, the process of obtaining licenses and permits from City Hall should not make it even harder. As NWP candidates are out and about in the community speaking with members of the local chamber and business owners, there is a clear sign that the process needs to change at city hall. “One of the most difficult barriers that businesses face is permitting at City Hall,” says small business owner, 30+ year resident of New Westminster and council candidate Paul Minhas. “We need to develop a timely, streamlined and more cost-effective process for business permit applications.” This process would include a new ‘one-staff interface’ model allowing for much easier access to city programs and services for individuals wanting to set up shop in New Westminster.
Growing New Westminster’s economy will have a ripple effect throughout the Lower Mainland. NWP will proactively support the formal development of a Metro Vancouver regional economic development strategy to provide incentives to create jobs and maintain a competitive tax structure. “It’s about making smart decisions,” says Minhas, “As a city councillor, I commit to working with Metro Vancouver to ensure that any major capital improvement projects undertaken in our city is in the best interest of our citizens, while also considering the possible negative impacts to local businesses.” A way to evaluate new city projects is to receive input from the community. Expanding the number of Business Improvement Areas (BIA) throughout the city is one of the ways increase engagement with local businesses.
“We hear you, New West,” continues, Minhas, “We need to diversify our business districts to foster a vibrant local and regional economy.” NWP commits to undertaking a ‘Re-imagine Columbia Street’ initiative with the goal of attracting a more diverse group of retail merchants that will help to better animate the streetscape and revitalize the local economy. “Supporting more street festivals, for example, is another creative way to help expose our local businesses to a wider regional audience.”
Another means to support the growth of the local economy is to create affordable business districts, which is severely lacking in New Westminster. NWP will work with landowners to reduce the number of vacant and underutilized buildings by at least 25% in our first term. This includes exploring incentives and legislative authority to accelerate the development of vacant ‘abandoned’ properties in critical commercial hubs including 12th Street and Columbia Street. Minhas recommends city hall acts by, “marketing and promoting our unique position as the home to Douglas College to encourage graduates to consider New Westminster as their permanent home or place to set up and do business.”
NWP mayoral and council candidates continues to share many of their policy ideas aimed to address the concerns and ideas they have heard from New Westminster residents and businesses, leading up to the unveiling of the NWP’s 2022 campaign platform next month. Follow all campaign announcements at nwprogressives.ca/platform