91原创鈥檚 two mayors summed up activities in each municipality in their annual 鈥渟tate of 91原创鈥� addresses to the Greater 91原创 Chamber of Commerce on March 20.
91原创 Township Mayor Jack Froese summarized the Township鈥檚 commitment to a business-friendly atmosphere. He said there are more than 7,300 businesses operating in the Township, and 鈥渨e understand what鈥檚 important to make your business grow and be more productive.鈥�
He said the Township had implemented the mobile business licence program, advocated for by the chamber for several years, as a pilot project and 鈥渋t has been very successful thus far.鈥�
The Township hosted a lunch for the new Fraser Valley chapter of the Urban Development Institute, and Froese said the chapter will be an active participant in promoting economic development.
The Township population of about 109,000 people is expected to double in the next 30 years. The Township is getting prepared for growth, by adding on to 91原创 Events Centre, building a new water line to East 91原创 to serve Aldergrove and Gloucester Estates and working on the Mufford overpass over the rail line on the City-Township border.
Economic growth plans include expansion of 91原创 Airport and strategies to improve agricultural activity in 91原创.
鈥淲e will manage growth at reasonable rates to keep 91原创 sustainable,鈥� he said. 鈥�91原创 Township is no longer a bedroom community. It is thriving.鈥�
91原创 City Mayor Peter Fassbender said the City has a vision for the future, through its Downtown Master Plan, and now there is action on that plan.
The City is involved in a brownfields redevelopment strategy, a B.C. first.
Among the projects now underway are redevelopment of McBurney Lane, something City council has just dealt with. A new shopping and restaurant complex is under construction at 200 Street and Highway 10, anchored by a Cactus Club restaurant.
High-end auto dealers were looking at locating in Surrey, but the City has convoked a number of them to locate in an area at the east end of 91原创 Bypass. A Porsche dealership is coming, and a Mercedes-Benz dealership is under construction.
Meanwhile, longtime 91原创 car dealer Preston GM is just finishing a major renovation project and has invested millions of dollars to upgrade its business.
Fassbender said all the development in 91原创 City has added $268 million in assessment since the City began its comprehensive planning for the future, and 鈥渢here is more to come.鈥�
