cambridge Chamber of commerce Address

presented by Mayor Robert Deutschmann

Township of North Dumfries

December 8th, 2010

A pleasure to be here this morning.

Today is the start of my third official day on the job.  My third day as a politician.

And Greg has rewarded me with a free breakfast - I love this new job.

Speaking here between Carl and Doug, I feel like the little brother at the breakfast table with his big brothers.  As the big brothers dig in  I just hope Daddy Durocher has made sure there are enough sausage eggs and hash browns to go around.    It certainly can make for very interesting family stories.  But from this ringside seat, I will be a keen observer of the activities of my two neighbours.

I think that with this lineup this morning, Greg was telling me that the Cambridge Chamber breakfast tickets were hotter than the George St. Pierre UFC match this Saturday.

However, I know that I have a lot to learn Doug and Carl.  How they effectively lead their respective organizations.

This morning I am in fact sharing the stage with 3 great organizations that are noteworthy for their ability to demonstrate strong political leadership in Waterloo Region.

Doug in Cambridge, Carl in Kitchener and of course The Cambridge Chamber of Commerce under the stewardship of the one and only Greg Durocher.

Now Greg is expecting something profound this morning from this speech and I will say up front that he will likely be disappointed. 

However, as a reward for having to listen to me this morning, I will let you all in on a significant marketing opportunity in North Dumfries Township that you will want to hear about. Of course I won't tell you about it until the end of my speech this morning.

While the swearing in of the new NORTH DUMFRIES TOWNSHIP council was the past Monday, I can say that I have been very active since the day following the election - about 6 weeks ago.  There are a number of exciting things happening in NORTH DUMFRIES TOWNSHIP and I wanted to ensure that I was ready to hit the ground running.

I just want to touch on this past municipal election for a moment. 

The election campaign was a particularly interesting race in NORTH DUMFRIES TOWNSHIP.  For those of you that are residents of NORTH DUMFRIES TOWNSHIP - good morning - and those that are keen political observers - and are familiar with the race in NORTH DUMFRIES TOWNSHIP - you must be a complete political junkie - we experienced the highest voter participation rate in the region at 49%. 

The election in NORTH DUMFRIES TOWNSHIP was notable for the close and active race it was.  The electorate was offered a clear choice between Change and Stay the Course.  Perhaps reflecting what happened in notable races across the province, and perhaps reflecting what is happening in the makeup of the electorate in NORTH DUMFRIES TOWNSHIP, the gradual transformation in our community, the transition that we are seeing between our urban and rural mix, the voters rejected the Stay the Course approach.

It is my mandate, my challenge, to bring about positive change that the community indicated that they wanted.  A more active approach to economic development in NORTH DUMFRIES TOWNSHIP will be a big part of that change.

I touched on the impressive public organizations lead by Doug and Carl.  These organizations have all demonstrated many positive traits that leaders of private business could emulate:

Vision,
Planning for the future,
Executing that plan.
Not always taking the most politically popular route or choosing the most expedient option, just for the sake of avoiding short term negative comments or criticism.
Not getting distracted from their plan but continuing to focus on the long term.
Leveraging the benefit of partnerships, with other levels of government, with private business and educational institutions.

I believe that the hallmark of a successful public organization is its ability to successfully work in partnership with other groups, public and private.  It can and should be a mutually beneficial relationship.

In Cambridge we have the example of the new City Hall development, the School of Architecture and the Drayton theatre development in downtown Cambridge
In Kitchener the gradual, steady improvement and positive development of the downtown core on many levels.

Despite some public criticism, second guessing in the media or the public forum, Cambridge and Kitchener have persevered and executed their plans, modifying where necessary, but moving forward and eventually being rewarded for the execution of their plans.

Can you imagine for a moment having all you business decisions subject to public scrutinee.  For example, waking up in the morning and seeing your business expense account dissected in the Record or the Cambridge Times.

There is no greater pastime than second guessing a politician's decision - well, aside from a post game discussion on the resurging Toronto Maple Leafs - before these past two games I was going to say the "sad state".

I commend and respect Doug and Carl for the work that they have done, for their ongoing commitment and dedication to the task, the very public task at hand. 

I know I have a lot to learn from these two gentlemen, along with the other members of Waterloo Regional council.  And I look forward to that.

I was considering the makeup of the Region of Waterloo council the other day.

If you want to meet an impressive roster of local talent, in one room, heading up a large organization, consider the makeup of Regional council - you have a wealth of talent, the knowledge base is truly impressive - it's like playing in the Champions Tour of golf.

Ken Seiling, Carl, Doug, Jane Brewer, Claudette Miller, Jim Wideman, Geoff Lorentz and Tom Galloway - just to name a few.

There is probably in excess of 200 years of political experience at the Regional level - well 200 years and 3 days.
The Regional swearing in ceremony is tonight and I look forward to my participation as a member of the Regional team.  And learning from the veteran members of the team.

I believe that NORTH DUMFRIES TOWNSHIP can and does benefit from membership in this club called the Regional Municipality of Waterloo.
Without commenting on amalgamation, or Light rail transit, I want to say that I look forward to learning more about the workings of our Regional government. I want to understand how NORTH DUMFRIES TOWNSHIP can leverage our partnership to improve our access to services.  Services that would otherwise be difficult for us to provide to our residents without the support of the Region.

NORTH DUMFRIES TOWNSHIP is a small community.  And as we move forward, we have to look to the concept of partnerships, with other government groups, social agencies, and in addition to organizations in the public realm, with private business as well.  We have to leverage these relationships for the benefit of our residents - to improve services in our community, our standard of living in NORTH DUMFRIES TOWNSHIP.

We also have to look to collaborate with our neighbours on specific projects, and service arrangements. 

Now I want to boast about NORTH DUMFRIES TOWNSHIP a little.

This is a business crowd and having sat in your seats for many of these, I want to give you a few teasers about NORTH DUMFRIES TOWNSHIP and why you may want to consider NORTH DUMFRIES TOWNSHIP as a place to do or locate your business:

Business development, economic development in our community will be very important over the next 4 years.  We need to expand on the employment opportunities in the Township.  In addition to residential development, NORTH DUMFRIES TOWNSHIP needs to expand its assessment base through economic development.

Now just a few points about considering NORTH DUMFRIES TOWNSHIP as a place to locate your business:

There is a good supply of serviced commercial/industrial land in Ayr.
There is a Large supply of unserviced commercial/industrial land at 401/Cedar Creek Road.
We have a Reliable supply of hydro services through Cambridge and North Dumfries Hydro.
Our Property Tax rates are the lowest in the Region and we do not charge non-residential Development Charges.
We are located along the major transportation routes of hwy 401, CP Rail, hwy 24 and close proximity to hwy 403.  Trussler Road is often touted for future road expansion for the Brantford to Waterloo region corridor. 
We have a variety of industries located in NORTH DUMFRIES TOWNSHIP.  There is a high concentration of trucking companies and this would lend to an excellent opportunity to expand the development of related or integrated services - technology development, biofuels

We are located 10 minutes to Kitchener and Cambridge.  Within 45 minutes of London, Hamilton and the GTA.
We offer a great quality of life with a unique balance of urban and rural interaction.  The rolling hills of the countryside, the Grand River and the Nith River. 
We are going through a significant expansion of our recreation facilities with the construction of our new multi use Community Complex and the many community parks throughout the Township. 
There are a number of housing opportunities with new development in Ayr as well as in the existing rural countryside and settlement areas throughout the Township.  And we are in the process of exploring senior housing and retirement living options for our community, particularly in Ayr.

Now, as promised earlier, I want to let you in on a marketing opportunity that many of you will want to consider for your business.

In September of 2012, NORTH DUMFRIES TOWNSHIP and the Region of Waterloo will be hosting the International Plowing Match and Rural Exposition.

The International Plowing Match is an annual event held in rotating locations across rural Ontario.  The Match was last held in Waterloo Region in 1995, in North Dumfries Township.
I am told that it was held in Breslau in 1954, during Hurricane Hazel. 
It was originally organized as a plowing competition, but has expanded to become a rural expo and one of the premier farm shows in North America. 
There are exhibitors from across Canada and highlights the contribution of agriculture to the economy.
The 2012 IPM will be held in Roseville, Ontario on approximately 850 acres of land, involving at least 12 farms,

This is an enormous undertaking.  A city is created for 5 days - roads are built, in-ground lines are put in for water, hydro lines set up for power; tents are erected to house over 600 vendors and exhibitors, over 25,000 parking spots are allocated, and an RV park that houses close to 2000 sites is laid out.  Over 1,000 volunteers give of their time on 29 committees to make this event possible.  We are now less than 2 years away. 

 In 1995, over 160,000 guests attended our event in North Dumfries Township.  We are confident that we will top this in 2012.

The Ontario Ministry of Tourism estimated over $12 million in spending for the 2008 Match near Teeswater in Bruce County and nearly $21 million for the 2009 Match in the Timiskaming.  Given our location, in the heart of Southern Ontario, within Waterloo Region and the proximity to the Toronto, Hamilton and London regions, we expect to exceed the 2009 number.

Funding for this event comes from local businesses and grants.  The goal of the IPM committee is to raise approximately $750,000 in cash and in-kind donations in order to host this event.  In turn, profits from the Match remain in the Region, funding community improvement projects and groups.  In 1995, $1 million was invested in community projects with the Match profits.

We hope to attract many of our traditional, new, and leading edge local businesses to exhibit their goods and services.  Those with a connection to agriculture or food production or processing, are certainly encouraged to participate.  This is an opportunity for you to showcase your business and expand your exposure to possibly 200,000 attendees.

You owe it to your business to explore the opportunities for your business at the IPM.  You will see a bookmark size information piece with contact information.  In addition Gord Taylor and Rick Dunnett, from the executive committee for the 2012 IPM, will be at the North Dumfries display to provide you with more information about how you can become involved.  If there is a fit for your business, you should seriously consider becoming a sponsor, displaying your business' goods and services and making this event a part of your 2012 marketing plan.  You could even consider volunteering your time at our exciting event,

I just want to conclude by thanking Greg and his team for putting together another great Cambridge Chamber event and providing me with an opportunity to extol the virtues and benefits of North Dumfries Township as a place to do business.  

Thank you.