In 2013 non-residential construction activity in Caledon approached the record levels achieved in 2007, overcoming the sluggish activity over the past few years. Significant ICI development responsible for the upturn include: Acklands-Grainger’s warehouse, Canadian Tire’s distribution centre, Bolton Hampton Inn & Suites hotel, and
Hopewell Development Corporation’s speculative warehouse and distribution centre in Tullamore.
Non-residential construction values totalling $150.3 million rose by 712.7% in 2013 over 2012. Most notably Industrial construction value ($127.6 million) rose by 1,165% in 2013, while commercial construction value ($12.4 million) rose by 219%. More than 2.4 million square feet of non-residential floor space were added to Caledon’s inventory in 2013, equating to the absorption of almost 250 acres of employment land in the town of Caledon.
In 2013, 18.25% (or more than $8 million) in taxes was levied by the Town of Caledon to the non-residential taxpayers. A significant feat when you consider that in 2004, non-residential taxpayers were levied 12.7% (or $2.48 million). Although this 5.5 percentage point shift in tax burden doesn’t seem like much of an accomplishment, a 223.7% increase in taxes levied is a testament to the hard work of staff at the Town of Caledon.
Other events and highlights from 2013 include:
February
Town of Caledon Food Sector Profile.
Town of Caledon partners with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority on an Eco-Business Zone Guideline project.
May
Mayor's Business Breakfast - over 200 guests enjoyed a keynote presentation by Scott Kress, who spoke about his experience of scaling Mount Everest.
June
PBS broadcast of "Off the Beaten Palate", featuring Spirit Tree Estate Cidery.
Release of Equine Tourism Video.
July
Two-year countdown to the TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games.
Jith Dravin joins the Caledon Economic Development team.
September
Caledon's Economic Development Department wins EDAC's Marketing Canada award for its Food Sector Profile publication.
October
An Evening of Celebration with Headwaters Horse Country was a huge success highlighting the importance of the equine sector in the region.
Mayor's Business Breakfast - presentation of the SUBY award and a keynote address by Deanne Kelleher of Kaos Group, who spoke about ways to increase productivity and reduce stress in our lives.
November
Taste of Tourism Awards to celebrate excellence in tourism and hospitality in the region.
Caledon's Economic Development Department in partnership with the Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance produced a report which identified the size of the agricultural and food cluster within the Golden Horseshoe: The Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance – Asset Mapping Project.
2nd Annual Headwaters Food Summit and Local Trade Fair presented by the Headwaters Food and Farming Alliance.
