A new plan is in the works to drive economic growth, create more business diversity and employment opportunities in Aurora.

Aurora town council was recently presented with four goals that are to drive the creation of a town-wide Economic Development Strategic plan. The mission is to build a diversified economy for the future, according to presenter and chair of the town’s Economic Development Board Tim Hamill.

The Aurora Chamber of Commerce supports the direction the strategic plan is heading and Executive Director Sandra Ferri said the organization looks forward to the collaboration of all involved to create a plan that will propel economic development forward in the future.

“The town and all those involved in economic development will work together more effectively if there is a concrete plan outlining the types of businesses that we would like to see locate in Aurora,” Ferri said. “It will also provide a checklist as we look at the types of development taking place in Aurora as the development must support the types of businesses we are trying to attract.”

She added that a plan will facilitate the communication and engagement of businesses in the process and provide them with the goals and objectives of the town and how it plans to support them and their growth.

While development of the Cultural Precinct is important, and significant steps are underway with the redevelopment of Library Square and the formation of the BIA, the business community must be looked at as a whole, Ferri said. This is why the Chamber is encouraged that the plan includes targeting growth sectors and attracting new investment.

“The Chamber has been looking at ways to support start-ups and fledging businesses and point six of goal one (in the plan) targets this as a strategy,” she said. “Small businesses in Canada represent 98 per cent of all businesses and are the driving force in our economy and Aurora’s highly educated and skilled residents will ensure the growth of that sector.”

Business is interested in seeing the employment lands fully developed to meet the needs of existing residents, so that the created jobs meet the employment needs of the community.

“The public also sees empty storefronts where thriving businesses could exist and this plan will hopefully contribute to improving that situation,” she said.

The plan is meant to act as a core planning tool and provide the board with a road map to plan short, medium and long-term initiatives related to economic development, Hamill said during his presentation.