A draft of the city’s community economic development plan will come forward at the April 7 council meeting.

The document will detail what the city could do to help improve the local business environment.

During a noon address at the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce’ Business Connects conference Wednesday, Jordan Stackhouse, the city’s economic development officer, filled in the business community on the city’s plans for the strategy.

Though the timing didn’t line up to have the strategy ready for the two-day business conference, which wraps up this afternoon, Stackhouse reviewed the work that’s been done so far.

As he noted, community economic development looks at the role of the municipality in contributing to a strong business community.

The right infrastructure, policy rules and regulations, the labour force, stable and good governance, along with other factors, all contribute in drawing or keeping businesses in an area, Stackhouse noted.

“Economic development is not just about the economy,” he said, citing results from a survey that was done earlier as part of the strategy.

It found that more than 90 per cent of residents in the city are very or somewhat happy in Whitehorse.

Many said they have stayed in the community because of its access to nature, availability of health services as well as family and friends.

At the same time, he said, there were “some tensions” in answers.

While many like access to nature, they don’t want to see high-density development which allows for less of a development footprint. Taxes are too high, some said, while adding that they want more city services.

Stackhouse also commented, to laughter from those at the luncheon, that many mentioned they enjoy the “uniqueness” of Whitehorse, but would love to see a Costco store here.

As he wraps up the strategy - at least in draft form that may be changed before council adopts the final version – he said it’s his hope it reflects the views of the community and focuses on what the city can do to be most effective.

He noted the strategy focuses on goals of improving the business climate, ensuring there’s an inclusive economy, championing infrastructure, fostering entrepreneurship, attracting new residents and creating a vibrant downtown.

The document will go into further detail, with 31 ideas outlined and how to achieve the goals.

It’s about creating a welcoming environment, ensuring inclusiveness and building partnerships, he said, adding it will take time after the strategy is finally adopted to gain momentum working on the goals.

Also speaking at Wednesday’s noon event was city manager Christine Smith.

She updated the business community on the city’s plans to consolidate the city operations into two buildings: a large structure off Range Road focused on operational responsibilities such as transit and others while a new structure at the city hall site (there are no plans to tear down city hall) will provide services for the general public, such as getting building permits and the like.

The building consolidation project – estimated to cost $55 million – is aimed at optimizing city services and energy savings.

It’s estimated to save the city operational costs in both energy bills as well as leases it is currently spending on a number of buildings it uses around town.

The current focus is mainly on the larger building off of Range Road, with the services building expected to be about four to six months behind that.

An RFQ for the operational building closed March 16 with eight proponents coming forward, she said, noting the city expects to make an announcement on that in mid- April.

In the meantime, she added, the city has secured the Yukon government portion of the site with a 30-year lease that could lead to eventually purchasing the land.

She also said talks are underway with Northwestel Inc. and Driving Force, which own land in front of the city’s site, to work out an access agreement.

“Good partnership is what I’m trying to convey,” Smith said.

The proposal for the building is also currently under review by the Yukon Environmental Socio-economic Assessment Board.

It’s expected the city will begin site work this year, with the main part of construction happening in 2016. Both new buildings are anticipated to open in 2017.

Prior to Stackhouse’s and Smith’s short presentations, Mayor Dan Curtis addressed those at the conference. He noted a number of initiatives also underway, including a forum focused on vulnerable people in the community (see story p. 3).

Curtis invited the business community to come forward with suggestions for the city.

He pointed out there have already been nitiatives thanks to suggestions from the chamber, including evening transit service and an earlier presentation of the capital budget.

The mayor emphasized the city is fortunate to already have a strong business community with 170 business licences issued in the last six months.

Curtis also joked with the crowd as he came up on stage, commenting: “I know what you’re thinking; he doesn’t look like Mayor Nenshi.”

He was referring to Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi (see opposite page).

While Nenshi has the status of the best mayor in the world, Curtis noted he has been honoured as “best mayor in the universe” in a letter from a group of local kids who attended his and Eduction Minister Doug Graham’s story-time during literacy day at the Yukon Literacy Centre earlier this year.