Tall Ships Landing

June 4, 2007

In order to understand another’s point of view; one must first appreciate the other’s motivation or obligation.  For example, the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors endorses the Fuller development, Tall Ships Landing.  This makes sense because the role of the Chamber is to foster a competitive business environment in the Brockville region that benefits the people in the region through growth of jobs and quality of life.  The primary means by which we accomplish this mandate is advocating the government for regulations and taxation that generate growth and supporting key economic development initiatives including tourism.

We are fortunate that Brockville’s location, diverse economy and natural resources have the potential to make it a desirable destination for relocation, visitation and business attraction.  However, as with many rural communities in Ontario we are facing many changes; increasing provincial downloading, service standards and infrastructure needs, physician shortages, smaller industrial base and countless implications of a global economy.  Our region must be efficient in delivering services and strategic in planning for growth.  We must change to stay the same and missing a single opportunity is not an option.

The future of our region relies on our ability to build on our strengths and take advantage of growing trends including increasing the tourism and service based sectors of our economy.  The Fuller development addresses many recommendations from recent reports including the 2003 Chamber Downtown Revitalization Best Practices Report, the 2005 Anchor Attraction Report and preliminary findings from the upcoming Premier Ranked Tourist Destination Report.  These reports were designed for community stakeholders to increase our economic prosperity through increased activity in the downtown core, residential development, a variety of unique stores and services, maximizing our waterfront and heritage, creating memorable experiences for visitors, generating additional revenues, competitive tax rates, business attraction, job creation, keeping our young people,  maintaining high level educational, social and cultural standards and having a clean, safe, thriving community, more desirable than all the rest.

The Tall Ships Landing project is the catalyst for this vision.  It will increase residents in the downtown core who require more products and services and will host more friends and families.  Our prized waterfront property that has been vacant for over 15 years will be environmentally safe, attractive and generate additional tax revenues.  The maritime discovery centre will be a key component in making our region a destination for education and tourism.  We will have a landmark building more desirable than many developments that could have been built under the current official plan and zoning laws.  We will have a developer in our midst who has already demonstrated vision and business acumen by restoring the old post office with historical integrity.  This developer will attract more of the same.  We have a planning department well qualified to address planning, parking and traffic issues during an established process approved by the provincial government.  This department is employed and monitored by a city council that was elected by the members of this community just last fall.

We are fortunate to have a community with people that are involved, passionate and willing to share their opinions.  It is one of our strengths and will be essential in building our future.  The upcoming OMB hearing for the Tall Ships Landing has already cost us thousands of dollars and it will be won or lost on sound planning principles and the city’s adherence to process.  However, it is also a unique opportunity for our community to demonstrate to our community leaders and private developers that we are ready to embrace change for the sake of future.  The Chamber Board encourages all supporters to invest some time by attending the any portion of the hearing scheduled for June 5th, 6th and 7th at the Memorial Centre and stand up for change.