What I like about the AEGD
by Richard Koroscil
President, Hamilton International Airport
Hamilton is a city of entrepreneurs. It was only a few decades ago that we were booming with work, our restaurants and stores were busy, and our downtown was thriving. Then the bottom fell out of the manufacturing industry.
It’s time to turn the page on what we have become, and start again. We need to re-energize the city, to attract more and higher paying jobs, a green agenda and a brighter future for all of us.
The AEGD can be a catalyst for that change. It’s not the silver bullet – we also need to develop our brownfields, downtown, and industrial land. However, it is an opportunity to start bringing about the kind of change we need.
I have three children living here, and my dream is to have them live and work in this community after they graduate from university. Hamilton has so much to offer – a thriving arts community, health care, education – but without jobs, they’ll have to live elsewhere.
The AEGD will give my kids, and many others, that opportunity. It will attract upscale working residents who will support growth in the downtown core because they will shop there, use lawyers and dentists, go to the theatres and galleries. It will give this city of entrepreneurs a place to live and thrive. It’s a chance to create something new and different and exciting, right here in our home town.
Well said Richard!
I literally could not have said it better.
Indeed, AEGD is not “the magic bullet”. But, as part of a broader economic development strategy, which includes focused Brownfield re-vitalization and Downtown/Waterfront re-development – it is a key part of the solution.
We have to play to our strengths. And our geographic location, tied to our strong transportation and logistical network dictates that the AEGD must be a vital component of our future success.
Hamilton City Councillors…will have to start thinking more globally and stop the constant bickering and the self centered approach…that way the PROVINCE and the FEDS will see some professionalism in management of the City..they are not going to throw good money after bad…if there is No COLLECTIVE FOCUS!!!!!!
When I accepted a promotion and transfer to the Hamilton area in 1998, being born and raised in Windsor Ontario I was familiar with communities that are very reliant on the health and prosperity of their primary and secondary industries. I have also experienced the consequences and the resultant stressors in the community that occur when these key employers encounter struggles and challenges due to the overall domestic and global economic climate.
It is because of this exposure and experience that I wholeheartedly support the AEGD as a wise and necessary strategy of diversification and development that is in the best interest of our communities’ welfare.
The Hamilton area is a tremendous community and it is my chosen location to live and raise my children. The AEGD will contribute to our collective future and offer opportunities to future generations to join a local workforce that is talented and diverse where they can use their many talents and innovation to bring about and ensure both their personal and community growth and economic well being. Let’s make the AEGD a reality!!
David G. Rohrer
Chief Executive Officer
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
Being born and raised in Hamilton, I want to see my city come alive again. The future development of this area is critical to Hamiton’s future. Hamilton still has a lot to offer families and individuals but this expansion would only make us better. We need to come together with one vision, this is a good start!!
The AEGD, along with many of the other development areas in the Hamilton Community, such as McMaster Innovation Park, will drive this city forward. Our Mayor, at his ‘State of the City’ address at the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce earlier in October noted that we now have Momentum. We all need to work together to keep this momentum going. The concept of P3’s is not only a good business model but is a good community model. Let’s all keep the momentum going to help AEGD be a successful venture.
Ruth Liebersbach
The AEGD is clearly an important part of the broader development strategy required to ensure that Hamilton once again becomes the thriving city we all know it can be. Hamilton is on the verge of a renaissance. We’re broadening our focus beyond manufacturing and looking for new ways to take advantage of all of the things that make us unique. The strength of our people, the clear advantages of our location, the diversity of our ideas and our entrepreneurial spirit are coming together to help pave the way into an exciting and prosperous future. The AEGD is an important catalyst for these changes and a long term enabler of business growth in the region.
I strongly support any initiative that promotes sensible land development and employment growth for the greater Hamilton area. My congratulations, to Richard Koroscil, and his team, for once again being at the cutting edge of business, community, and economic advancement.
Great Idea.
Not forgetting Hamilton’s heavy industrial heritage; this is the future, time to embrace it.
Many young couples have moved into the area surrounding the airport. This will provide job opportunities for their families.
Well put Richard!
I was born, raised, and schooled in Hamilton. I now live with my young family minutes away from the Airport, and contribute much of my time within and outside of our great city to help tourism. I am convinced with initiatives like AEGD, that Hamilton (all areas) will see both short and long term wins for this growing community. This is ideal undeveloped lands that presents terrific opportunity for growth. My family, business associates and I look forward to the future successes.