In accordance with City Council’s strategic direction, City staff have worked to develop an Employment Land Strategy to ensure an adequate supply of serviced employment land and an incentive framework to stimulate investment, development and job creation. Eight strategic industrial areas were identified across the City and recommendations for improvements to land use planning and infrastructure were created. In August, Council approved the Employment Land Strategy and directed staff to prepare an Implementation Plan which follows through on the recommendations from the Strategy and will help to strengthen Greater Sudbury’s competitiveness and investment readiness.

Council approved the direction to adopt the new Strategic Core Areas Community Improvement Plan (CIP) that would replace the existing Downtown Sudbury and Town Centre Community Improvement Plans. Highlights of the proposed new CIP include a new Commercial Vacancy Assistance Program for permanent leasehold improvements, a new Business Improvement Area Tenant Attraction Program in the form of an interest-free loan program, a new “Superstack” Tax Equivalent Grant Program and an expansion of the Façade Improvement Program.

City staff submitted a Downtown Master Plan Update in September. Council approved the submission of a business case to update the Downtown Master Plan, which will be considered as part of the 2023 Budget Process.

In the third quarter, permits for major projects across all sectors were issued with a total construction value of $24.8 million dollars indicating positive economic growth and continued confidence for the Greater Sudbury economic future. Projects such as the construction of the Exploration Shaft Hoist House at Vale, the Intensification of a number of existing buildings creating multiple new residential units and the construction of the Cambrian College’s Battery Electric Vehicle Lab located within the Glencore Centre for Innovation building will help shape and grow our city as well as increase employment and economic opportunities in our community.

In conjunction with the Tourism Development Fund (TDF), the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation (GSDC) approved $14,925 in the third quarter to fund local programs and organizations to support tourism and culture initiatives across the community. To date, $241,125 has been approved through TDF in 2022.

The City of Greater Sudbury continues to implement the Economic Recovery Strategic Plan and focus its attention and resources on key actions that will support the community’s efforts in recovery from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. This will be done by continuing to develop Greater Sudbury’s workforce, support local attractions and the downtown.