Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook Society provides grassroots leadership and an inclusive process, with a voice for all community members, to ensure that our community grows and develops in a way that incorporates an environmental ethic, offers a range of housing and transportation choices, encourages a vibrant and cultural life and supports sustainable, meaningful employment and business opportunities.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Mayor’s Address to the Chamber Luncheon

Mayor Wayne Stetski addressed members and guests of Cranbrook’s Chamber of Commerce yesterday at their monthly luncheon.

In his address he spoke of his personal objective of ensuring that all citizens of Cranbrook feel valued, listened to and welcome at City Hall and how he has done his best to make that happen through different opportunities to share concerns, attending special events and responding to residents concerns.  Mayor Stetski also listed actions, which have been taken over the last nine months including a focus on youth, culture and arts and work for improvements for the disabled and seniors.

In speaking of the Cranbrook’s economy he noted in 2011, 1318 business licences were issued.  In 2012 in the first 8 months, 1432 licences have been issued.
Building permits – the total value of construction permits up to the end of August was $24,117,039,31, which is a 33% increase over 2011.  While some of that was due to storm damage, new industrial development is at $3,281,699, which is 3.5 times as much as in 2011.
Passenger use at the airport is up 6% over last year to date.

Mayor Stetski stated he is very much looking forward to receiving the report he requested from the Chamber of Commerce that will help Council better understand the barriers and challenges that business face in the city.

Three large potential projects on the horizon were listed as the new intensive care unit for the hospital, a new homeless shelter and the replacement of Mount Baker School as well as potentially key City Theatre.

Mayor Stetski told the audience that in the spring of this year he volunteered Cranbrook to be one of seven communities working with the Province on a Pilot project to try to break the poverty cycles for families and children.

He concluded his speech by listing some of the challenges identified by Council and staff.  These included improving infrastructure while funding or improving the needs of other sectors of the community that need help, improving infrastructure while trying to minimize taxes, planning for a replacement of Key City Theatre and establishing a permanent home for the Arts in Cranbrook and implementing a long term vision for the Railway Museum as well as creating a strong business environment to encourage new business opportunities.

Mayor Stetski’s complete address can be read at:

2 comments:

  1. Could this article reflect all the comments made by Mayor Stetski, including his comment regarding the City of Cranbrook's role in economic development.

    It would also be good to see a break down of how the new industrial/commercial building permits breakdown with repspect to new businesses locating to Cranbrook.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The link to the entire address is given at the bottom of the article.

    ReplyDelete